Mubarak Wakaso, Andre Ayew and Benjamin Tetteh will miss Ghana World Cup playoff against Nigeria
Black Stars coach Otto Addo in consultation with other members of the technical team has decided not to call-up seven Afcon players in this month’s World Cup playoff against Nigeria.
According to Ghanasoccernet, Mubarak Wakaso whose inclusion in the Afcon squad raised eyebrows because he’s carrying an injury is among seven players who won’t take part in two-legged tie against Nigeria.
Others are Swiss-based goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, right-back Philemon Baffour, Ghana Premier League duo Maxwell Abbey and David Abagna who is injured.
Turkey-based Benjamin Tetteh and Captain Andre Ayew won’t make the squad as they are suspended because they received straight red cards in Cameroon.
A source has revealed that Otto Addo is poised for the games and believes he can achieve the desired result that’s securing qualification to the World Cup.
The squad is expected to be announced by the close of next week.
Crystal Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp is one player many have predicted would be in the squad because of his fine form recently. Schlupp was conspicuously dropped from Afcon squad.
Thomas Partey will most likely captain the team with the midfielder playing at a high level, currently, for Arsenal.
Partey and other regulars such as Jordan Ayew , Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Kudus are well and fit but Kamaldeen Sulemana has a problem with his back.
Ghana play home first on March 25 and will hope to achieve a great result before travelled to Nigeria for the second leg to be played in Abuja on March 29.
The winner of the tie will be in Qatar for the World Cup which kicks off in November.
Ghana missed out on the last edition staged in Russia four years ago and are eager to make a return having qualified for three straight tournaments between 2006 and 2010.
Ghanaian youngster Isaac Nuhu featured for Eupen but was sent off in the 89th minute following a second caution.
Ghana international goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen was between the sticks for the visitors as they exited the Belgian Cup.
Wakaso previously ruled out WC qualifiers against Zimbabwe
Mubarak Wakaso has been ruled out in Ghana’s double header against Zimbabwe in the African FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Qatar 2022 according to statement by the Ghana Football Association.
Ghana host Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast Stadium this Saturday before they will travel to their opponent’s home days later.
Ahead of those games, Ghana boss named a 32-man provisional squad to battle against the Zimbabweans.
With Ghana kneeing on on cut-down squad, 27 players were announced yesterday to begin camping for the World Cup games as five players were shown the exit door in final trim exercise.
Meanwhile, Mubarak Wakaso was one of five players Milo trimmed them as the midfielder reportedly not into full recovery. Other trimmed players; Ismail Abdul Ganiyu, Tariqe Fosu Henry, Joseph Alfred Duncan, Mubarak Wakaso and Emmanuel Gyasi.
The experienced midfielder has been feeling warm and cool over his fitness before Milo finally released his maiden Black Stars call up. The former Spanish LaLiga ace sustained injury in Ghana’s second World Cup qualifying game against South Africa last month.
In that game Ghana lost 1-0 at the FNB Stadium as the West Africans World Cup final chance narrowed. It’s only early stage of the round, Ghana could get their journey on track if they manage to beat Zimbabwe in the two fixtures before return to club football.
Despite seemly recovering from the South Africa injury, he has still not completely overcome all backslashes. The midfielder is still not fit that led to his omission from the Black Stars squad cut-down.
The Shenzhen FC player has scored 13 goals in 65 appearances for the Black Stars since his debut in 2012.
Ghana must win both games to remain in contention to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana final 27-man squad that faced Zimbabwe
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati- Zigi (FC St. Gallen), Richard Atta (Hearts of Oak), Ibrahim Danlad, (Asante Kotoko), Jojo Wallocott (Swindon Town)
Defenders: Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC), Andrew Yiadom (Reading FC), Gideon Mensah (Bordeaux), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg).
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Baba Idrissu (Real Mallorca), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (RSC Anderlecht), Kofi Kyere (St. Pauli), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC).
Forwards: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd SC), Kamaldeen Suleymana (Rennes), Joel Fameyeh (Orenburg), Yaw Yeboah (Wisła Kraków), Samuel Owusu (Al-Fayha FC), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Caleb Ekuban (Genoa), Benjamin Tetteh (Yeni Malatyaspor)
