Ghana coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor is not worried by the absence of seven key players ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Monday, September 6, 2021.
Coach C.K Akonnor will be missing English-based stars, Daniel Amartey, Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp, Andy Yiadom and Baba Abdul Rahman.
The former Black Stars captain will also have to do without the services of winger Kamaldeen Sulemana of Stade Rennes and St Pauli’s Daniel Kofi Kyereh.
The players were not allowed to travel to Johannesburg by the English FA because South Africa is one of the red listed COVID-19 zones. Meanwhile, Sulemana and Kyereh were recalled by their clubs.
“Don’t forget we invited 32 players because we were aware of the situation, so we are prepared. We knew that the England based players might not come here with us because of the COVID-19 situation and so we were prepared and we knew exactly what will happen so it’s not going to be an excuse,” said C.K Akonnor in a pre-match conference.
Ghana lead Group G after a hard fought victory over Ethiopia on match day one of the qualifiers.