Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman recently shared the personal decision behind his temporary break from the national team, the Black Stars. For the 30-year-old left-back, it wasn’t the jeers from Kumasi fans that led to his hiatus but rather his desire to focus on fitness after a long and challenging injury history.

During his last national team appearance, Rahman faced a rough reception from some Black Stars fans, which led to speculation that he was stepping away due to the boos. Coach Otto Addo himself acknowledged the impact of this crowd reaction on Rahman and his family back in May, explaining the PAOK player’s absence from Ghana’s squad.

However, Rahman clarified the reasons for his break in a recent interview with BBC Sport Africa. “I’ve decided to step back a bit to focus on my fitness,” he said. “My injury record has been tough, and after joining PAOK last year, I felt it was best to concentrate on regaining my strength.”

Rahman has been no stranger to adversity. Between 2017 and 2020, he spent nearly 1,000 days sidelined due to a series of injuries, including two ACL tears. Although he made a resilient comeback for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2022 World Cup, Ghana’s early exits in both tournaments underscored his ongoing challenges.

Now, Rahman hopes to restore his form with club football before reigniting his international career. “People constantly ask me to return to the Black Stars, but right now, my health is my priority,” he shared. “Once I’m back to full fitness, I know I’ll be ready to contribute to Ghana’s national team again.”