AFCON 2021 began on 9th January, 2022 with opening matches between the host nation Cameroon vs Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia vs Cape Verde with a 2:1 and a 0:1 score lines respectively. The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was officially scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 but was rescheduled to kick-start from January 9 to February 6, 2022 due to unfavorable climate conditions.
The Senior Nation Team of Ghana are still considered as underdogs despite the fact that they have won four of such African trophies and are ranked third (behind Cameroon-5 and Egypt-7) on the African continent.
These are three new Recruits to watch out for, among the 28 players selected to represent Ghana in Cameroon.
- KAMALDEEN SULEMAANA
KAMALDEEN plays as a winger in the French league 1 for Stade Rennais who has built a heroic status after just six months of joining the French side from FC Nordsjaelland. He has been a sensational inclusion in the Ghana national by standing as one of the creative forwards since gaining his debut call-up in 2020. Ghana really felt his absence in the pre-afcon friendly match encounter with the African giants Algeria, losing 3:0. As at October 2021, KAMALDEEN was ranked as the 2nd most in-form player in Europe’s top 5 Leagues by WhoScored. Only Mohammad Salah was ranked higher than the Ghanaian.
- FATAWU ISSAHAKU
Abdul FATAWU ISSAHAKU plays as an attacking midfielder for Dreams FC, on loan from Steadfast FC. The U20 AFCON MVP is ranked as one of the attractive players in the Ghana Premier League by many soccer lovers. During a friendly match between Ghana and Algeria, Ghana felt shaky upfront and considered two quick goals when ISSAHAKU slightly got injured in the course of the second half of the match. Due to his abilities as a left footed player, Liverpool was exploring all possible means to sign the Ghana wonder kid according to a report by BackseatsmanLFC in may 2021, and they still hold the hunt.
- JOSEPH PAINTSIL
JOSEPH PAINTSIL was born on February 1, 1998. He plays as a midfielder for Begian club GENK. The young midfielder has proved himself worthy even with few minutes in the Black Stars shirt. His resilience and can-do spirit call for much attention and expected wonders in the 2021 AFCON. On Sunday 19th September, 2021, Joseph Paintsil scored his first goal of the season in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League in KRC Genk away victory by climbing off the bench to put Genk on level terms before getting the winner after Yuma Suzuki had given the hosts the lead.
Truly, everyone may expect Ajax’s KUDUS MOHAMMED to be among this list but his fitness condition makes it doubtful of him getting more playing time for Ghana.
#goblackstars🇬🇭
Obsoul/ Sixscribes
