Big Blow for Ghana as Four Key Players Miss Trip to Angola For AFCON Qualifier

• Ghana will travel to Angola without Black Stars captain Andre Ayew
• Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, and Dennis Odoi will all miss out
• Ghana will qualify for the tournament in Ivory Coast with a win in Luanda

The Black Stars of Ghana will be without four players when they travel to Luanda to play Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Captain, Andre Ayew and defenders Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, and Dennis Odoi have all been ruled out of the match due to injuries.

Djiku and Odoi started the home game against Angola on Thursday as the Black Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Djiku did not finish the game after hobbling off due to injury, with Joseph Aidoo replacing the Strasbourg defender in the 80th minute.

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan spotted giving Semenyo scoring tips after Angola game; Video

Football

According to the Ghana Football Association, Ayew sustained a knee injury after slipping on his way to the dressing room.

"Ghana captain [Ayew] has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola after sustaining a knee injury on Thursday. Ayew slipped on his way to the dressing room and hurt his knee as findings of the MRI scan have meant that he has to return to his club for further treatment," the FA on their official website.

The release also mentioned Dijku, Salisu, and Odoi also missing from the team.

"The trio were left out of the travelling party due to injuries. The Ghana Football Association wishes them a speedy recovery."

The four-time African champions will qualify for next year's tournament in Ivory Coast if they beat the Palancas Negras on Monday.

Nicholas Opoku receives late invite

Due to the injuries to several of Ghana's first team players, coach Chris Hughton has handed a late call-up to Nicholas Opoku.

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The Amiens centre-back is expected to arrive on Monday and could feature in the game against Angola tonight (March 27).

Asamoah Gyan mentors Antoine Semenyo

Sports Brief also reported on Antoine Semenyo meeting Asamoah Gyan after scoring the winner following the AFCON qualifier between Ghana and Angola.

The Bournemouth forward came on in the second half to smash home the winner late in injury time, as the Black Stars collected all three points at home.

After the game, Semenyo was spotted at the stadium with Gyan, who was visibly giving the forward instructions on his positioning on the pitch.