Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde says his team will lament Black Stars forward Inaki Williams’ expected absence due to his participation in the 2023 AFCON.
Next year’s AFCON will be held in Cote D’Ivoire and Williams is heavily tipped to be named in Chris Hughton’s Black Stars squad.
Speaking to the media after seeing Williams score in a 1-1 draw with Girona, Valverde touched on the issue about his top scorer’s impending departure.
“Inaki is always in a good place. By the time he goes to the AFCON, we will start by being sharp but at the moment, we will go through at least December without any problems. We will lament his absence but we will see how things will turn out.”
Williams’ goal against Girona is his sixth league goal of the 2023-2024 season to move Bilbao into fifth place in the league standings. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
The 29 year old Williams heads into his first AFCON on the back of scoring his debut goal for the Black Stars in a crucial win over Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
At the 2023 AFCON, Ghana is in Group B with Egypt, Mozambique and Cape Verde.
