South Africa vs Ghana: CK Akonnor insists replacement players are ready and hungry

Ghana coach Charles Akonnor insists his replacement players are ready and hungry ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Monday evening.

The West Africans are depleted after SEVEN key players were unable to travel to the country due to Covid-19 concerns.

The Black Stars squad has been completely decimated as seven players who would have played in the game in Johannesburg were withdrawn by their clubs over Covid fears.

Among the seven players recalled are the five England-based players who all started Friday's Group G World Cup qualifying match that the Black Stars won 1-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Crystal Palace duo of Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew, the Reading duo of Andrew Yiadom and Baba Abdul Rahman as well as Daniel Amartey of Leicester City were not part of the travelling party to Johannesburg.

Rennes forward Kamaldeen Sulemana and Daniel Kyereh of German side St. Pauli could also not travel with the Black Stars because they have been recalled by their clubs.

The decision by the European clubs to withdraw their players was based on the fact that with South Africa on the Covid red-list countries, the footballers would face a ten-day quarantine on their return to Europe.

This means the players will miss some three league matches on their return from South Africa which would have a devastating effect on their league title hopes.

But Ghana coach CK Akonnor insists there will be no excuses when his side take on the Bafana Bafana at the famous FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

"Don’t forget we invited 32 players because we were aware of the situation, so we are prepared. We knew that the England based players might not come here with us because of the COVID-19 situation and so we were prepared and we knew exactly what will happen so it’s not going to be an excuse." he told the South African media on Sunday.

Two heavyweights of African football face off at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday as South Africa host Ghana in a huge World Cup 2022 qualifying clash.

The hosts kicked off stage two of the qualifying process with a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe, while Ghana beat Ethiopia 1-0 to lead the way in Group G.

South Africa is in Group G along with Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. They have a difficult task ahead of themselves if they want to be eligible for the global spectacle.

Only the Groups A-J winners will be able to progress to the final round for Qatar 2022 qualification.

The five remaining African nations will face off in a two-legged playoff to determine the winner.

The next World Cup, which will be held in the Middle East for the first time, is scheduled to take place between 21 November and 18 December.

This means the players will miss some three league matches on their return from South Africa which would have a devastating effect on their league title hopes.

With FIFA backing clubs not to release their players to Covid red-list countries, the Ghana FA cannot challenge the European clubs on their desire to withdraw players from the match in South Africa that has been ravaged by Covid.

All the seven players who have been recalled by their European clubs started or played a part in Friday's opening match in the Group G qualifiers against Ethiopia.

This means Ghana coach Charles Akonnor would have to completely alter his plans and rely on players who would have been his second choice for the match against South Africa.

The Black Stars are already reeling from the absence of top performers Thomas Partey of English side Arsenal and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax Amsterdam which means in total Ghana would be missing as many as NINE KEY PLAYERS.

Ghana will try to return to the global tournament when the tournament takes place in the Asian country of Qatar next year.