Black Stars coach Chris Hughton on Tuesday invited 24 players to begin preparations ahead of the team’s crucial tie with Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The list saw the return of Alidu Seidu who failed to make the cut for the previous call-up due to injury as well as Kwasi Okyere Wriedt who played a part in Ghana’s World Cup qualification by featuring in the all-important clash against Nigeria.
While the call-up brings huge excitement to 19-year-old Ernest Nuamah following his magnificent display for FC Nordjaelland as well as his recent performances for the Black Meteors, there was no representative from the local scene.
Meanwhile, due to injury, Chris Hughton will also miss the services of a number of players who have been instrumental for the Black Stars in recent times including their contribution to Ghana’s World Cup campaign in Qatar last year.
Here are the five key players who won’t be featuring for Ghana against Madagascar due to injury.
Antoine Semenyo
He was the hero for the Black Stars in the previous international break as he came off the bench to strike home arguably the most important goal for Chris Hughton since he assumed his role as the team’s coach to give Ghana all three points against Angola in Kumasi.
Semenyo had been struggling to adapt to the demanding nature of the Premier League but finally found the net in a similar way as he did for Ghana a few months ago by climbing off the bench to score against Leeds United.
However, he picked up an injury in the next game against Chelsea and has undergone surgery as confirmed by manager Gary O’Neil. Semenyo is expected to return before the next football season begins.
Tariq Lamptey
The Brighton and Hove Albion defender after the 2022 World Cup has battled with injuries keeping him out of the last 17 matches.
He was also ruled out of Ghana’s previous games against Angola as he got replaced by Kingsley Schindler in the squad.
Just like Semenyo, Lamptey is also expected to recover in time for the upcoming season as his team prepare to play in the UEFA Europa League.
Abdul Baba Rahman
Baba Rahman’s situation is similar to that of Tariq Lamptey having missed 17 matches and made just 10 appearances for Reading in the Championship after Ghana’s World Cup exit.
His chronic injury problems have in disguise paved the way for a new player Patrick Kpozo who was introduced in the previous call-up.
He is expected to return to his mother club Chelsea to nurse his injury and hopes to bounce back to action soon.
Mohammed Salisu
Salisu who can be remembered for his crucial goal against South Korea at the World Cup has equally battled with injuries in the second half of the season.
Even though it wasn’t expected to be serious, the Southampton centre-back’s injury has grown to be a major issue even his future with the club.
Salisu has missed so many games begging the question of his return. He missed six straight games, Three to injury and warmed the bench in the other three. However, after returning to the line-up he sustained another injury which has kept him out in Southampton’s last ten games. He was also replaced by Nicholas Opoku for the Black Stars game against Angola due to the injury.
Daniel Kofi Kyereh
The midfielder last played in February and has gone on to miss 20 matches for Freiburg in all competitions after sustaining a cruciate ligament rapture during a training session.
Prior to his injury, he had been a key member of the squad under both Milovan Rajevac and Otto Addo and also featured in all matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Kofi Kyereh will see his position taken by the likes of Majid Ashimeru and Mohammed Kudus as witnesses in previous matches.
