In the much-anticipated announcement of Ghana’s 55-man provisional squad for the 2023 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire, Premier League champions Medeama SC emerged as a significant contributor with five players securing spots. Hamidu Abdul Fatawu, Felix Kyei, Abdulai Nurudeen, Jonathan Sowah, and Derrick Fordjour, all instrumental figures for Medeama, were named in the expansive roster.
Despite the notable presence of eleven homegrown talents from various clubs, including Accra Great Olympics, Dreams FC, Nations FC, and Asante Kotoko, a surprising exclusion caught the attention of football enthusiasts. None of the revered Hearts of Oak players found a place in the provisional squad.
Among the star-studded list are familiar faces such as Mohammed Kudus, Joseph Wollacott, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Alexander Djiku, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Thomas Partey, Abdul Samed Salis, and Majeed Ashimeru. Additionally, the return of AS Monaco’s Mohammed Salisu, absent since the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 due to injury, adds depth to the squad.
As Ghana gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations, where they find themselves in Group B alongside Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, the absence of Hearts of Oak players raises questions about the dynamics of squad selection and the potential impact on team strategy. The tournament is scheduled to take place from Saturday, January 13, to Sunday, February 11, 2024, promising intense football action in Cote D’Ivoire.
