Sammy Adjei in Club vs. Country Row

In a bizarre twist to Sammy Adjei's future with Israeli side FC Ashdod, the Ghana goalkeeper has been asked by the club not to play for his country at the African Nations Cup or face an immediate sack.

Ghana second safest pair of hands has already been told by the club that his contract will not be extended when it expires on 31 May.

Adjei is aware that he will no longer play a part in the club's league campaign after the African Cup of Nations because of the expected arrival of new goalkeeper Tom Almadon.

Maccabi Haifa released Almadon on Wednesday paving the way for Ashdod to make an offer to the Israel under-23 international in the place of the Ghanaian keeper.

Club coach Alon Hazan is reported to have asked Adjei to exclude himself Ghana?s team from this month's tournament otherwise he will be paid off before his contract expires.

The Ghana Football Association is expected to fiercely reject the request if Adjei puts it across while a report to Fifa over the conduct of Ashdod cannot be ruled out.

Club owners Jackie Ben Zaken and David Revivo have put together a huge budget to recruit new players and to pay off players who are to be sacked.


According to the Ha?aretz newspaper, Ashdod are finalizing plans for a January revolution, which if successful could be the most extreme transformation of an Israeli team in the middle of a season.


Just one point from its last six matches and the shaky relationship between most of the players and the coach has spawned a plan by the professional staff in which the budget would increase over the next month.


"Jackie decided to go crazy to bring in first-team players and remain in the league," a club management source told Ha?aretz.

"Ben Zaken gave Alon Hazan a blank check to execute the transformation he wants."


According to the newspaper, the Ashdod coach is keen on replacing his entire contingent of foreign players.


Defender Andre Lewis and midfielder Andres Aimar have already been let go, and goalkeeper Sammy Adjei is expected to find his way out the door after a year and a half.


Adjei could attract offers from clubs who will be visiting the African Cup of Nations to recruit players to augment their squads.