Ghana vs. Nigeria: Rahman Baba out for three weeks says Paul Ince

Ghana have been dealt a big blow as defender Abdul Rahman Baba has been ruled out of the 2022 World Cup play-off against Nigeria later this month.

The Reading fullback hasn't been in action since mid-February after picking up a knee injury against Preston North End in the Championship.

Reading boss Paul Ince has divulged the 27-year-old left-back will continue to be sidelined in the two to three weeks making him available for the World Cup play-off.

Ghana's hopes of having the Chelsea loanee to face the Super Eagles have been quashed and  Hearts of Oak left-back Dennis Nkrumah-Korsah will fill the void.

"Rahman is two or three weeks away. . It's tough because these players have been out a while and we need to get them back up to scratch." Ince said in a press conference ahead this weekend's match against Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, former Ghana striker Prince Tagoe has shockingly called for the return of controversial duo Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Tagoe to the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria.

Tagoe says Ghana need experienced players such as Muntari who plays in Ghana for Hearts of Oak and Hertha Berlin’s Boateng to overcome Nigeria and has entreated the Black Stars technical team headed by Otto Addo to invite the duo.

Muntari and Boateng were thrown out of Black Stars camp during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil due to indiscipline and have since not been called up for national team duty.

“Every coach has his strategy but I don’t know that of Otto Addo. [But] If I were to be the coach of the Black Stars, I will just keep Sulley Muntari in the team for a certain reason. Maybe, there might be some difficulties in the course of the game where Muntari’s services will be needed,” Tagoe told Angel TV.

“I believe in him and knows what he can do. Inviting Muntari back into the Black Stars goes beyond footballing reasons.”

“Kevin-Prince Boateng is one player who must be included in the Black Stars for the Nigeria game, maybe Ghanaians will not understand but I think it is about time we hand him a call up”

“I believe there will not be too much changes in the call up for the game. To me, Kevin can play for the national team regardless of his age. The physicality in the German league is not easy, so if he is able to play there, I think he can play for Ghana” he added.

Otto Addo is expected to announce his squad latest by early next week for the crucial games later this month.

Ghana will play host to Nigeria on March 25, 2022 before the reverse fixture at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on March 29.