AFCON 2021: Ghana NOT LIKELY to name replacements for 'absent' Stars

Coach Milovan Rajevac is expected not to name any new additions to his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations despite concerns, some players will put up a no-show in camp, FMiG has learnt.

The Black Stars gaffer initially announced a 30-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon next year. But he has now been made to grapple with the fact that two players; Felix Afena-Gyan and Mohammed Kudus will not make it to the team’s campong base in Qatar.

Afena-Gyan has turned down an invite to join the Black Stars AFCON squad

News from Afena-Gyan’s camp indicate that, the AS Roma youngster will turn down the invite (for the second time) as he sees himself unready for such a task. The player who just broke into the Roma senior side months ago, prioritizes continuing his development and cementing his status in the senior team rather than leaving for the AFCON for close to a month.

Kudus likely to miss Ghana’s AFCON squad

In the case of Kudus, his club side, Ajax Amsterdam are unwilling to release the player for the tournament over fitness issues.
If the prevailing circumstances continue, both players will miss out on Ghana’s final AFCON squad with the Coach left with the option of confirming the 28 players who show up as his final squad for the tournament.

As it stands, only 9 players have reported to camp forcing the Ghana FA to cancel an earlier-arranged pre-AFCON friendly.

The AFCON tournament will kick off in Cameroon on January 9, 2022, with the final being played on February 6.

Ghana have been housed in Group C alongside Morocco, Comoros and Gabon.