Ghana coach Charles Akonnor made his 23-man shortlist for the international friendly against Mali known to the public last Friday.
The squad, which has 6 new members and 3 returnees, will use the game to the Stars 2021 Afcon qualifier against Sudan.
As the players get ready for the international assignments, Footy-Ghana takes a close look at why some players of the team could not feature for their clubs this weekend.
Goalkeepers
For Akonnor’s goalkeepers, Maritzburg shot-stopper Richard Ofori is enjoying a break because the 2020/21 South African PSL is yet to begin.
Currently, Razak Abalora is unattached after leaving Tanzanian side Azam FC when his three-year contract expired in August.
Defenders
In defence, Benson Anang has not played in the Slovakian Superliga for MSK Zilina. The Yellow-Greens have played six games this season.
The right-back has only made two appearances in the squad. Both on the bench.
Lumor Agbenyenu’s loan at Real Mallorca ended and he is yet to play for Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese giants have had two games this season and it seems coach Ruben Amorim prefers 18-year-old Nuno Mendes as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation.
Lumor might be looking for a new club as he did not even play in the team’s pre-season friendly against Real Valladolid.
Gideon Mensah, since joining Vitoria Guimarães on loan from Austria side Red Bull Salzburg is also yet to play in the Portuguese league.
TSG Hoffenheim centre-back Kassim Adams played his side’s first Bundesliga game this season against FC Cologne.
But he failed to make the matchday squad for the 4-1 thumping of Bayern Munich.
Kassim was not injured as coach Sebastien Hoeneb did not name him in the injured players ahead of the win.
But he had this to say:
🗣️ "@KassimAdams24 had a good pre-season and played well against Cologne. I am very happy to have him here and pleased with his development."
Manager Sebastian #Hoeneß on @KassimAdams24.#TSGFCB pic.twitter.com/QxKfu65P18
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) September 25, 2020
Statistically, Kassim lost possession 14 times against Cologne (Kevin Vogt and Ermin Bicakcic combined lost the ball 15 times)
That might be the cause of his omission from the squad on Sunday.
In a three-man defence, the two defenders kept their spots against Bayern.
Bicakcic is now injured and the return of the Ghanaian centre-back in the lineup again is possible.
Midfielders
All four midfielders of Akonnor’s squad – Thomas Partey, Emmanuel Lomotey, Bernard Mensah and Baba Idrissu – played this weekend.
Attackers/Wingers
Jeffery Schlupp was out of Crystal Palace loss to Everton due to injury.
There was no football action for Eugene Ansah due to the postponement of his team’s league match.
The Saudi Professional League where Samuel Owusu plays also ended on September 9. Al Fahya have suffered relegation from the top-flight division.
Kamal Deen Sulemana of Nordsjaelland has played all two games so in the Denmark Superligaen.
The 18-year-old has 169 minutes of game action and one assist.
Nordsjaelland play Lyngby BK on Monday evening and Kamal is named in the matchday squad.
Truppen til hjemmebanekampen mod @LyngbyBoldklub er klar 📝#fcndk | #sldk | #FCNLBK pic.twitter.com/BCXabM6nad
— FC Nordsjælland 🐯 (@FCNordsjaelland) September 27, 2020
