South Africa v Ghana: French club Rennes withdraw Kamaldeen from Black Stars squad for Bafana clash

Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana will not feature for the Black Stars against South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifier slated for Monday, September 6, 2021 after French side Stade Rennes recalled the winger.

The 19-year-old did not travel with the Black Stars team to South Africa due to travel restrictions by his club, Stade Rennes, to red listed countries for the World Cup qualifiers.

Kamaldeen made the staring eleven when Ghana faced Ethiopia at the Cape Coast stadium last Friday, a game the Black Stars won 1-0.

The enterprising winger did not last for the entire duration after being replaced in the second half of the game.

Other Black Stars players recalled by their various clubs include, Daniel Amartey of Leicester City, Crystal Palace duo of Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp, Reading FC pair Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman, Braydon Manu of Darmstadt and Daniel Kofi Kyereh of Saint Pauli.

The decision by the European clubs to withdraw their players was based on the fact that with South Africa on the Covid red-list countries, the footballers would face a ten-day quarantine on their return to Europe.

The team arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday morning and will training at the FNB stadium later today before Monday’s crucial encounter.

Ghana lead Group G with three points after the victory over Ethiopia last Friday, with South Africa and Zimbabwe having one point each after their goalless draw.

After missing the 2018 event in Russia, Ghana has set their sights on returning to the World Cup.

The Black Stars reached the world showpiece in Germany 2006 where they were making their first appearance.

They then went on to reach the Round of 16.

They secured a qualification ticket for the South African 2010 edition. This campaign saw them reach the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Uruguay.

They made their third consecutive appearance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but they were forced to exit at the group stage for the first-time.