Chris Hughton, the head coach of the Black Stars on Monday, January 1, 2024, announced Ghana’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chris Hughton engaged sports journalists at the Alisa Hotel in Accra to announce his team and also explain some reasons behind the invitation and otherwise of some players.
The squad had usual faces such as Andre Dede Ayew, Jordan, Mohammed Kudus, and Daniel Amartey among others.
It also had three players from the Ghana Premier League who have excelled greatly in the ongoing season.
Kotoko’s Richmond Lamptey and Medeama duo Hamid Abdul Fatawu and Jonathan Sowah will be in Ivory Coast for the tournament.
The notable absentees in the list include Thomas Partey, Tariq Lamptey, Baba Rahman, Fatawu Issahaku and Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Explaining Thomas Partey’s situation, coach Chris Hughton said ““Thomas Partey is one of our most important players. Without his injury, he certainly would be in the squad; we know the quality of the player he is. This is a player that suffered a substantial injury,” stated Hughton.
“I’ve spent a lot of this period of time with Thomas and also engaged the medical staff at Arsenal. They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him, the biggest injury he’s had.”
“The most important thing for me as head coach is to give him the support he needs during this period of time. From all the information we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, [his recovery] will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.”
Baba Rahman has also taken to social media to explain the decision to recuse himself from the squad explaining that the decision is in the interest of his career and personal life.
On social media, there have been a myriad of reactions from Ghanaians to the announcement of the squad.
While some are happy with the team, others believe that the inclusion of some players does not bode well for the Black Stars.
Read the reactions below
Edmund Addo has FINALLY been dropped from the Black Stars squad for the #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/Ux15wFrBDO
— Ibrahim Sannie Daara (@SannieDaara) January 1, 2024
#Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, who has scored in his last three home games for West Ham, with his 10th goal of the season as the Hammers condemn Manchester United to an eighth Premier League defeat of the season at the London Stadium.
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) December 23, 2023
The rise and rise of the Black Star ???? pic.twitter.com/3KSGGFVizP
No serious player will risk their career for this useless Black Stars https://t.co/wloRiWjauD
— Don (@Opresii) January 1, 2024
I don't understand oh I thought you guys didn't want Baba to play for the black stars ????
— Susu Graham (@susu_graham) January 1, 2024
Ghana skipper Andre Ayew is set to make his 8th AFCON tournament.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) January 1, 2024
He has missed one tournament (2013) since his debut in 2008. The 8th tournament appearance will be a record equalling.
However, he is just 3 games away from becoming the player with the most games played in… pic.twitter.com/oBPCywUhWv
So the injury gods wey dey do magic to make players miss major tournaments never dey see the Ayew brothers or what
— Kay???? (@KayPoissonOne) January 1, 2024
Make injury gods do one small magic on apampam jeene Ayew for us erh
2024 the Ayew Brothers will do what The Katongo brothers did for Zambia in 2012 for Ghana. Amen
— Kay???? (@KayPoissonOne) January 1, 2024
Say whatever you want about the Ayew brothers but they will never turn down a call up for black stars for any club
— Kay???? (@KayPoissonOne) January 1, 2024
No matter what, my landlords will be there to represent even if them shaa, they will be there
Chris Hughton insists he’s been independent in his work in response to a question by legendary sports broadcaster, Kwabena Yeboah, the Writer. Hughton earlier acknowledged the huge role the Writer has played in the Ghanaian sporting media. pic.twitter.com/QjRMkYdAPI
— Jerome Otchere (@JeromeOtchere) January 1, 2024
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