Team Manager of Ghana’s National Football Team-the Black Stars, Ameenu Shardow, has stated that “peculiar challenges” facing the team’s technical unit is the reason for the delay in the release of the squad list for the upcoming 2023 AFCON qualifier.
Ghana is scheduled to play against Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday, September 7 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
A win or draw qualifies the Black Stars to the 2023 AFCON to be hosted in Cote D’Ivoire; CAR on the other hand, needs a win to have a chance at qualifying to the continental tournament.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Citi FM’s Sports Panorama, the Team Manager explained why there has been a significant delay in the announcement of the squad.
“I appreciate the concern being expressed. Normally, a week to a crucial game such as the one we are going to have next week, we should have the list by now. Normally, that’s how it’s supposed to be but there are some peculiar challenges being faced by the technical team and they are trying to finalize everything.
The squad was supposed to have been out by now, yes, but like I told you there are some peculiar challenges with some of the players. I can’t go beyond what I have told you I am not authorized to go into details.
Ghana leads Group E with nine points and holds a point advantage over second ranked Angola. CAR ranks third with seven points ahead of the crucial tie with the two top ranked teams progressing to the tourney.
CAR released its 24 man squad earlier today.
The Wild Beasts of CAR will be without injured Olympique Marseill midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia for the tie in Kumasi.