Uganda’s Nations Cup qualifying opponents Ghana are in some sort of crisis ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Namboole Stadium.Â
The Black Stars are not only certain to make their penultimate Group E fixture without their most influential playmaker Kwadwo Asamoah, but could also make the trip without Captain Asamoah Gyan.
Over the weekend, Juventus released a statement on their club website that stated that: “Kwadwo Asamoah will be out for a precautionary period of 15 days in order to fully recover from the injury he sustained during last Saturday’s Serie A meeting with Empoli.
“The Ghanaian featured in the game against Olympiacos but a continued inflammation in his knee means he will be rested over the next couple of weeks.â€
Already, the Black Stars captain Gyan Asamoah is a serious doubt for the fixture Cranes must win to revive their flagging fortunes.
At Juventus, Kwadwo plays as a wing-back on the left and has been hailed for his efforts in tracking back and providing assists when ‘The old Lady’ move forward. In the Black Stars side, he has always been played in a central role. He is the heart and soul of the side.
He knows when to drop deep from the front line and has the patience and skill to hold the ball up, wait for a runner and deliver the pass.
That’s what has helped the likes of Abdul Waris, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Andre Ayew and Gyan to flourish in the team’s 4-3-3 formation.
Kwadwo’s absence should ease Cranes’ defensive concerns, particularly at right back where Julius Ntambi is being prepared as a replacement for Denis Iguma.
Iguma has been left out of the team allegedly because of his disciplinary issues at Victoria University. Ghana’s preparations have already been undermined by the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) delay in confirming Avram Grant as new boss.
On Friday, the GFA said they had chosen the former Chelsea and West Ham manager to replace Kwesi Appiah but that would only be confirmed after agreeing personal terms.
Source: New Vision