West Ham United forward, Mohammed Kudus, headlines a host of top stars who will miss the two international friendly games due to various reasons.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams, Fenerbahçe and LA Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil are all unavailable for the games.
Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru, Beşiktaş’ Daniel Amartey and Auxerre defender Gideon Mensah are out due to injury.
Kudus, who is one of the best-performing African footballers in Europe, is recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Thomas Partey has asked to be left out of the squad following his recent recovery from a groin injury while Inaki Williams wants to fully recovered from recent injury setbacks.
US-based Joseph Paintsil has been excused to finalize his immigration documentation.
Newly installed Black Stars Coach Otto Addo will have to do without these stars of the team ahead of the two games in Marrakesh, Morocco.
However, Addo believes the situation also presents opportunities for the new players who have been called up as replacements.
“It is a pity; we would always want to go with our strongest squad especially when we are playing against Nigeria but for me I am looking for opportunities and it’s an opportunity for the new players to show themselves. I am not thinking about who could be here and who could help us. Looking at the reality, this is a squad with experienced players and also with young players who are on their way up and who can show me what level and stage they can play.” Addo told ghanafa.org
Ibrahim Osman (Nordsjaelland), Forson Amankwah (Red Bull Salzburg), Ebenezer Annan (Novi Pazar), Francis Abu (Cercle Brugge), Nurudeen Abdulai (Medeama) and Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko) are players who will be hoping to get their chance in the absence of the relatively more established national stars.
The four-time African champions will first take on eternal West African rivals, Nigeria, on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the at the Stade de Marrakech, Morocco, before facing Uganda on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the same venue.
The friendly matches are expected to serve as preparation for the next set of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
