Coach Chris Hughton has named Kasim Nuhu Adams as a replacement player for Alexander Djiku in the Ghana squad to face Madagascar away in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying.
The 27-year-old centre-back is returning to international duties for the first time since October 2020 when he was involved in bi-friendly games against Mali and Qatar.
Kasim slots in following Djiku’s withdrawal due to an ankle problem. Out of precaution, the latter warmed the bench in RC Strasbourg’s final game in the 2022/23 French Ligue1 against FC Lorient on June 3.
Kasim enjoyed a successful campaign with Swiss side FC Basel where he played on loan from German outfit FC Hoffenheim. He featured in 46 games and scored thrice across four competitions – Swiss Super League, Conference League, UECL qualifiers and Swiss Cup – during the just-ended 2022/23 season.
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The Black Stars open camp in Accra on Monday, June 12 for about four days before travelling to Antananarivo to face Madagascar. The penultimate Group E qualifier takes place on Sunday, June 18 at Stade Kianja Barea. The game kicks off at 14:00 GMT.
With two rounds of matches remaining, Ghana leads Group E with 8 points after two victories (Madagascar, Angola) and two draws (Central African Republic, Angola) in the first four qualifiers.
