The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru was invited for the World Cup play-off, but he was unable to join the team due to injury.
According to the GFA, Ashimeru is one of six players summoned by the technical team for the important games against Nigeria. The others are Baba Rahman, Samuel Owusu, Boakye-Yiadom, Kamaldeen Sulemana and debutant Antoine Semenyo.
They announced it on Tuesday evening, wishing the players a swift recovery.
“Majeed Ashimeru, Antoine Semenyo, Baba Abdul Rahman, Samuel Owusu, Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Kamaldeen Sulemana were all handed call ups to the senior national team and were expected to report to camp on March 20, 2022, but failed to join the rest of the squad due to injuries at the respective club sides,” GFA wrote on their website.
“Team Doctors of the respective clubs of the players wrote and officially inform the GFA of their injury situations and confirmed their unavailability for the double-header against Nigeria.”
“The GFA will continue to communicate with team doctors of the respective clubs and monitor the recovery of the players.”
“It’s the hope of the association that injured players will recover quickly and join the senior national team for future assignments.”
Sources close to Ashimeru, on the other hand, have denied that the player is injured.
Anderlecht’s 1-0 loss to Gent this past Sunday saw Ashimeru play the full match.
Earlier on Tuesday, legendary striker reacted angrily to Ashimeru’s omission from the squad.
“This guy Majeed Ashimeru is the best midfielder in Ghana, after Thomas Partey, period. I have kept quiet on this but this nonsense must stop. Smh,” Gyan tweeted.
He then apologised and deleted the message, but insisted that Ashimeru should have been called up.
“I still insist that Ashimeru deserves to be in this current Black Stars BUT am sorry for using the word “Nonsense” in my statement so I unreservedly withdraw that word, I was carried by my emotions. Go Ghana.”
I still insist that Ashimeru deserves to be in this current Black Stars BUT am sorry for using the word “ Nonsense “ in my statement so I unreservedly withdraw that word , I was carried by my emotions .
Go Ghana 🇬🇭 🙏🏿— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) March 22, 2022
Ashimeru made his debut for the Black Stars in 2017 against Benin.
For Anderlecht this campaign, the midfielder has netted three goals and added two assists in 31 Jupiler Pro League games.
But has recorded three goal contributions, scoring one and assisting two in his last seven starts.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana