Black Meteors head coach, Ibrahim Tanko, says Felix Afena-Gyan was part of his plans for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifier against Algeria and has no idea why the forward didn’t join the team.
Afena-Gyan had been included in the final 26-man squad for the doubleheader as Ghana chased qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Morocco.
However, the Cremonese forward reportedly turned down an invitation to the team with Tanko eventually playing both fixtures with 25 players.
Black Meteors sealed qualification for the AFCON following a 2-1 aggregate score over the north Africans with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Ernest Nuamah combining on both occasions for Ghana’s goals.
“I did my list and added Afena. I don’t know why he is not here. I personally spoke to his agent about four times and he told me the boy is not ready,” Tanko said to the media when quizzed about the former AS Roma man.
The gaffer went ahead to talk about his plans moving forward ahead of the competition to be played in June.
“We are looking at inviting good and quality players to come and help us,” he added.
“If only it’s a FIFA date. I think it’s the end of the season so we will have more of them.”
The Black Meteors will look to use the AFCON tournament as a channel to qualifying for the Olympic Games for the first time since 2004.