Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu has explained that a late injury forced midfielder Seidu Salifu out of his final squad for the Wafu Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars ‘B’ have been left without a recognized defensive midfielder in the team for the 16-nation competition set for September 9-24.
Salifu, a former U-20 World Cup star, currently unattached, was roped into the team after the side’s failure to qualify for the 2018 Chan tournament.
He had impressed and was set to be listed for the Wafu Cup but picked up an injury during training 48 hours to the competition.
“…when we came here [Takoradi], unfortunately for us, Seidu Salifu got hurt and he has to leave camp.
“For us, it’s a big blow. He’s such a quality player that could have helped us a lot but there’s nothing we can do about it,” coach Konadu stated at a press briefing ahead of the tournament opener against The Gambia.
READ THIS: Wafu Cup: Ghana reveal final squad [with shirt numbers]
Strange rules
Maxwell Konadu is unhappy with the squad size restrictions for the Wafu Cup.
Participating teams are allowed to register only 18 players for the intense competition scheduled for the Cape Coast Stadium and the Nduom Stadium in the Central region of Ghana.
But the Ghana coach feels that will overstretch his players as they progress in the West African regional competition.
“The rules are quite strange to us to some extent, because playing a tournament with 18 players is not the best.
“We are like our hands are tied behind our backs to maybe overuse the players because we will be playing any other day which is not too good for the players,” he noted.
For Konadu, “if they are able to reach the finals, the players will be too exhausted…” adding “but we have no choice because we have chosen to be part of it.”
Ghana will face The Gambia at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1500 GMT.
