In their opening 2023 Africa Cup match, Ghana will take on Cape Verde without their star player, Mohammed Kudus, who has tallied 10 goals in all competitions this year.
Coach Chris Hughton has decided not to risk Kudus in the game due to a hamstring problem.
His tardiness to camp prompted questions about whether he would be ready for the opening game, and regrettably, those suspicions have now been validated.
The former Ajax player will have to watch his colleagues from the stands as he won’t even be on the bench.
Kudus is not the only player who will not be starting for Ghana as Inaki Williams and Salis Abdul Samed will also miss starting action.
Moahmmed Salisu and Alexander Djiku will start as centre backs, with captain Andre Ayew starting the match on the bench. Goalkeeper Richard Ofori will be in the goal.
Denis Odoi and Gideon Mensah will be the fullbacks. It will be Majeed Ashimeru’s job to contain the midfield.
Ransford-Yeboah, the team’s leading goalscorer, will receive a rare start up front. Baba Iddrisu, Joseph Paintsil, and Jordan Ayew complete Ghana’s starting eleven for this crucial match.
In the previous two AFCON tournaments, the Black Stars have lost their opening match; they will be looking to reverse that with a win over Cape Verde.