Ghana released a squad list for the upcoming 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations that featured several players based abroad but three potentially key players will not join the Black Meteors in Morocco. Southampton FC winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Hamburg forward Ransford-Yeboah Königsdorffer will not be involved after deciding to opt out and remain with their clubs for the preseason.
Another player based abroad, Los Angeles FC forward Kwadwo “Mahala” Opoku, will also not be able to join because LAFC refused to release him in the midst of the ongoing 2023 Major League Soccer season. Clubs are not required to release players called up because the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations does not occur during a recognized FIFA international window. In the case of Opoku, participating in the tournament would see him miss as many as five LAFC regular season matches during a period when MLS clubs are releasing many players for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Ghana coach Ibrahim Tanko confirmed that FC Nordsjælland star Ernest Nuamah will take part, the only player on the recent Ghana senior national team list for its recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar who will be on the under-23 side in Morocco. Tanko’s comments on the updated squad and team news is below in an interview with the Ghana Football Association’s YouTube channel.
