Despite initially declining an invitation for the U-23 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria, Cremonese attacker Felix Afena-Gyan will still be given a call-up to the squad based on merit.
According to Ghana’s U-23 head coach, Ibrahim Tanko. Ghana emerged victorious with a 2-1 aggregate win over Algeria to secure a spot in the 2023 U-23 AFCON in Morocco from 24 June to 8 July 2023.
Tanko explained that he had spoken with Afena-Gyan’s agent on four occasions but was informed that the player was not ready to join the squad. Despite this, Tanko emphasized that the door was still open for Afena-Gyan in the future.
“We gave him an invitation but he didn’t come”. I think is the Football Association that can speak as to why he decided not to come.
“I spoke with his agent on four occasions but he kept telling us his player was not ready but when it gets to the main tournament and he is playing well, why not? I will call him.”
The U-23 AFCON will also serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games, with the top three finishers earning a spot in the men’s football competition.
Afena-Gyan, who scored his first goal for the Black Stars in Ghana’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, was left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has yet to score in 16 Serie A appearances for Cremonese this season.
