Injuries sideline Ayew, Issahaku, and key defenders for Ghana’s final AFCON qualifier

Ghana will be without Leicester City duo Jordan Ayew and Fatawu Issahaku, along with defenders Alidu Seidu and Gideon Mensah, for Monday’s final AFCON 2025 qualifier against Niger.

The four players featured in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Angola, which ended Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco next year.

Ayew, who scored a stunning free-kick, Issahaku, Mensah and Seidu have been ruled out due to injuries sustained during the Angola match, the Ghana FA confirmed.

Both Seidu and Mensah, who had passed late fitness tests to play on Friday, were sidelined after post-match medical assessments deemed them unfit.

Ayew completed the game, but MRI scans in Accra revealed significant knee damage. Issahaku, who was substituted in the first half, also sustained a serious injury.

After consultations between the Black Stars’ medical head, Dr Prince Pambo, and Leicester City’s medical team, Ayew and Issahaku will return to their club on Sunday for rehabilitation.

The latest absences add to eight earlier withdrawals, leaving coach Otto Addo with a severely depleted squad for this international window.

Ghana’s campaign has been disappointing, with no wins, and they are already eliminated from contention. Even a convincing victory over Niger would be meaningless.

Meanwhile, Niger can still qualify with a win, provided Sudan lose to Angola.

The post Injuries sideline Ayew, Issahaku, and key defenders for Ghana’s final AFCON qualifier first appeared on 3News.

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