Ghana has suffered a major blow ahead of Monday's 2022 World Cup qualifier against South Africa after SEVEN key players were recalled by their European clubs.
The Black Stars squad has been completely decimated as seven players who would have played in the game in Johannesburg were withdrawn by their clubs over Covid fears.
Among the seven players recalled are the five England-based players who all started Friday's Group G World Cup qualifying match that the Black Stars won 1-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Crystal Palace duo of Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew, the Reading duo of Andrew Yiadom and Baba Abdul Rahman as well as Daniel Amartey of Leicester City were not part of the travelling party to Johannesburg.
Rennes forward Kamaldeen Sulemana and Daniel Kyereh of German side St. Pauli could also not travel with the Black Stars because they have been recalled by their clubs.
The decision by the European clubs to withdraw their players was based on the fact that with South Africa on the Covid red-list countries, the footballers would face a ten-day quarantine on their return to Europe.
This means the players will miss some three league matches on their return from South Africa which would have a devastating effect on their league title hopes.
With FIFA backing clubs not to release their players to Covid red-list countries, the Ghana FA cannot challenge the European clubs on their desire to withdraw players from the match in South Africa that has been ravaged by Covid.
All the seven players who have been recalled by their European clubs started or played a part in Friday's opening match in the Group G qualifiers against Ethiopia.
This means Ghana coach Charles Akonnor would have to completely alter his plans and rely on players who would have been his second choice for the match against South Africa.
The Black Stars are already reeling from the absence of top performers Thomas Partey of English side Arsenal and Mohammed Kudus of Ajax Amsterdam which means in total Ghana would be missing as many as NINE KEY PLAYERS.
Ghana will try to return to the global tournament when the tournament takes place in the Asian country of Qatar next year.
CK Akonnor's team will travel to South Africa to play on matchday two in Johannesburg on Monday in their attempt to qualify for their fourth World Cup appearance.
After missing the 2018 event in Russia, Ghana has set their sights on returning to the World Cup.
The Black Stars reached the world showpiece in Germany 2006 where they were making their first appearance.
They then went on to reach the Round of 16.
They secured a qualification ticket for the South African 2010 edition. This campaign saw them reach the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Uruguay.
They made their third consecutive appearance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but they were forced to exit at the group stage for the first-time.