Ghana’s national team has been hit by an unexpected off-field setback after a theft incident at their hotel in Vienna cast a shadow over preparations for their international friendly against Austria.
According to a source who spoke to Sporty FM, the incident occurred during the Black Stars’ training camp in the Austrian capital, where the squad has been based since arriving on Sunday. Preparations had been progressing smoothly, with the team holding regular training sessions from Monday.
However, events took a troubling turn following Wednesday’s session. Two players reportedly discovered that their Rolex watches, estimated to be worth around $20,000, had gone missing from their rooms.
The situation worsened the next day when a member of the technical staff realized that $2,250 in cash had also been stolen.
Black Stars step up Vienna preparations ahead of Austria friendly showdown
Team management promptly alerted Austrian authorities, who initiated inquiries into the matter. Attempts to review surveillance footage were unsuccessful, with hotel officials indicating that the security camera system was not functioning at the time.
Despite the disruption and concerns over safety, the Black Stars remain focused on their assignment. They are scheduled to take on Austria later today at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, with kick-off set for 17:00 GMT.
Following the Austria encounter, head coach Otto Addo and his squad will travel to Germany for another high-profile friendly against the four-time world champions on Monday, March 30. Both matches are part of Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
