Ghana’s U-23 head coach, Ibrahim Tanko says Cremonese attacker, Felix Afena-Gyan, will be handed a call-up to the squad based on merit despite the player initially turning down an invitation for the U-23 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria in the two legs.
The 20-year-old refused to honour the call-up for the back-to-back matches against Algeria, having been included in Ghana’s 26-man squad.
Ghana defeated Algeria 2-1 on aggregate to secure a place at the 2023 U-23 AFCON to be played in Morocco from 24 June to 8 July 2023.
When asked about the Afena Gyan’s decision to turn down the call up ahead of the two legged tie against the U23 side of Algeria, Tanko gave details of the player’s absence and added that the door was still open to Gyan in the future.
“We gave him an invitation but he didn’t come”. I think is the Football Association that can speak as to why he decided not to come.
“I spoke with his agent on four occasions but he kept telling us his player was not ready but when it gets to the main tournament and he is playing well, why not? I will call him.”
Felix Afena-Gyan, opened his scoring account for the Black Stars on Wednesday, June 1 under former coach Otto Addo in an emphatic win over Madagascar in Ghana’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier opener.
Subsequently, he was left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He is yet to score in 16 Serie A appearances this term for his Club side Cremonese.
The U-23 AFCON will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in France where the top three finishers will book a place in the men’s football competition.
