WCQ 2022: Ashimeru’s big chance to scoop regular Black Stars spot

On Monday, Ghana’s Black Stars will lock horns with their South African counterparts in a crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The match is the second in three days in the campaign to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Ghana began the process with a slim margin win over Ethiopia in Cape Coast and travel to face the Bafana Bafana next.

Coach Charles Akonnor’s side must however do battle without some established names in the squad. Already robbed of the services of Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus for this international window, the Ghana gaffer will also be without the English-based contingent in his squad who cannot make the trip to South Africa.

This is due to the Premier League taking a decision against its players traveling to countries on the UK’s Covid-19 red list. This means Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Andrew Yiadom (Reading FC) and Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC) will not be part of the game.

Rennes forward Kamal Deen Suleymana and Daniel Kyereh of German side St. Pauli are also out of the game after been recalled by their clubs.

The development means more fringe players are likely to get minutes in the crucial game against South Africa.

One likely beneficiary is Majeed Ashimeru.

Whereas this isn’t his maiden invite to the camp of the senior national football team, the former WAFA midfielder is yet to be given needed minutes to prove himself worthy of a regular spot in the side.

His first call-up came in 2017 under former Coach James Akwasi Appiah, however he barely got the needed game time.

Just as is the case this time around, Ashimeru was a late addition to the Black Stars squad for penciled games in November 2020 but once again did not get ample time to impress.

The 23 year old Anderlecht midfielder is undoubtedly blessed with football talents, but proving this to Ghanaian football lovers in national colors is becoming increasingly difficult by the day due to a lack of opportunities.

So as the game approaches on Monday, fingers will be crossed as we await the decision of Coach Akonnor on how he sets up his team and the players he selects.

Will he hand Ashimeru a spot in his starting team or get him much game time off the bench. Will the script be reversed or it stays same for the player.

We will not know until the final moment, but what we can predict is the clash with South Africa could be Majeed Ashimeru’s biggest chance yet to justify himself for a regular stint with the Black Stars.