GFA Explains Absence of Iñaki Williams and Brandon Thomas-Asante from Black Stars Friendlies Against Austria and Germany
Duo Excused Due to Fitness Concerns After Club Matches – Decision Taken in Consultation with Medical and Technical Teams
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has clarified why strikers Iñaki Williams and Brandon Thomas-Asante were left out of the Black Stars squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Austria and Germany.
In a statement to Citi Sports, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that both players were excused due to fitness issues reported by their respective clubs.
“As is customary, once the squad is announced, players typically play a match for their clubs before joining the national team,” Asante Twum explained.
“Following their club matches on Sunday, both players’ teams promptly informed our medical department about potential injury concerns, which led to the decision to excuse them from the friendlies.”
He added that the decision was made jointly by the GFA’s medical and technical teams after receiving detailed updates from the clubs, describing it as a routine and precautionary measure to protect the players’ long-term health and safety.
Collaborative Process
Asante Twum stressed that such withdrawals are not unusual in international football and form part of the normal collaboration between club and national team medical staff.
Both Williams (Athletic Bilbao) and Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich Albion) will now focus on full recovery and regaining peak fitness with their clubs, with the hope of being available for Ghana in future international assignments.
The Black Stars are preparing for two high-profile friendlies in Europe as part of their build-up toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
