2023 AfconQ: Salisu the only injury concern for Ghana vs Angola – Hughton

Defender Mohammed Salisu is not expected to be involved when Ghana hosts Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday.

As a precautionary measure, the Southampton centre-back’s absence is likely to be a precautionary one as he has been battling fitness issues recently.

In his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Ghana coach Chris Hughton all but cast doubts about Salisu’s availability for the home game against the Palancas Negras.

“If I look at the squad, the only concern would be about Mohammed Salisu who there have been some concerns about him over the last few weeks.

“He has had some difficulties, some injury difficulties over the last two weeks. I know he played last week but his club has used him sparingly because of some of the issues. So this is one that we have to consider. From the squad that we have, he would be the only doubt that we would have. It’s something that we would have to determine and think about today and tomorrow,” the Ghana gaffer told the press.

In the four games preceding the international break, Salisu played just 83 minutes, including coming on as a substitute in Southampton’s 3-3 draw against Tottenham.

Salisu did not train when the Black Stars subsequently held their final preparations at the Baba Yara Stadium. Hughton now has a full house following the arrival and involvement of RC Lens midfielder Salis Abdul Samed in the session.

“Salis pics admin?” 😴#BlackStars | #AFCON2023Q | #GHAANG | pic.twitter.com/PapEC91fLL

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 22, 2023

The Ghana-Angola match-day 3 qualifier in Group E is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 GMT.