Ghana have suffered a severe blow after influential midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng was ruled out of Sundayââ¬â¢s vital Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo because of injury, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
This also means that he will not be available when the Black Stars play England on Tuesday in a prestigious international friendly, Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has confirmed to GHANAsoccernet.com
The enforcer played for Italian side AC Milan over the weekend in the Italian Serie A sparking hopes that he would be available for the Congo clash in Brazzaville.
But AC Milan doctors have told the Ghana Football Association that Boatengââ¬â¢s ankle injury was aggravated at the end of the game.
Boateng has also called Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic to tell him of his predicament and unavailability for the two matches over the next seven days.
In his absence, Anthony Annan, Agyemang Badu, Derek Boateng and Bernard Kumordzi will fight to be among the two for the central midfield positions.
Even though Boateng would have been a useful addition to the squad, his absence will give others the chance to impress.
Boateng was a 54th minute replacement for AC Milan in their 1-0 defeat at Palermo that undermined their title campaign.
He came on for Mark Van Bommel but could not help Milan cancel out Dorin Goianââ¬â¢s 10th minute strike.
He came through the game unscathed which sparked hopes that he could be fit for the Ghana game.