The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has explained why teenage Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru was left out of the Black Stars’ 27-man roster for their match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
According to the GFA, Majeed Ashimeru, along with five others, were pushed out of the team despite receiving summons up from their respective clubs due to injuries.
The six injured players will not be available for the doubleheader against Nigeria, according to the statement, which also stated that the GFA will continue to monitor the players’ recuperation.
“The Ghana Football Association has sent its best wishes to six players who could not join the Black Stars squad for the play-offs against Nigeria due to injuries.
“Majeed Ashimeru, Antoine Semenyo, Baba Abdul Rahman, Samuel Owusu, Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Kamaldeen Sulemana were all handed call ups to the senior national team and were expected to report to camp on March 20, 2022 but failed to join the rest of the squad due to injuries at the respective club sides.
“Team Doctors of the respective clubs of the players wrote and officially informed the GFA of their injury situations and confirmed their unavailability for the double-header against Nigeria.
“The GFA will continue to communicate with team doctors of the respective clubs and monitor the recovery of the players.
“It’s the hope of the Association that injured players will recover quickly and join the senior national team for future assignments.
“As they continue their recovery process, the GFA remains firm in the belief that the players will join all Ghanaians to support the team in our quest to make a fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup,” GFA said.
After the squad was revealed on Tuesday, March 22, former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan expressed his displeasure over Majeed Ashimeru’s absence from the Ghana team.
The all-time Black Stars leading scorer, describing it as “nonsense,” has said that the Anderlecht midfielder deserves a place in the national team, having classified him as the second-best Ghanaian midfielder.
“This guy @MajeedAshimeru is the best midfielder in Ghana, after @Thomaspartey22 PERIOD. I have kept quiet on this but this nonsense must stop. Smh,” Asamoah Gyan tweeted.
The Black Stars will play their first leg at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Friday, March 25, 2022, with the return match four days later in Abuja.
