Black Stars hit by hotel robbery ahead of Austria clash

Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, have been rocked by a robbery incident at their team hotel in Vienna as they prepare to face Austria in a pre-World Cup friendly.

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The team opened camp on Sunday, with training sessions commencing on Monday. However, following their third training session on Wednesday, two players reported that their Rolex watches, valued at approximately $20,000, had been stolen, according to Sporty FM.

The situation escalated the next day when a member of the technical team also discovered that $2,250 in cash was missing. Team officials promptly alerted local authorities, but investigations have been hampered after hotel management revealed that security cameras at the facility were not functioning.

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Despite the disruption, the Black Stars remain focused on their assignment and are set to face Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion this evening, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 GMT.

Head coach Otto Addo and his squad will subsequently travel to Stuttgart to take on Germany on Monday, March 30. Both international friendlies form a critical part of Ghana’s preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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The clash against Austria will be the first meeting between the two nations since their 1-1 draw at the same venue in March 2007. With the World Cup fast approaching, both teams are expected to approach the fixture with heightened intensity and competitive focus.

Addo’s side will be aiming for a convincing performance and result as they build momentum ahead of the high-profile encounter against Germany.