Ghana coach Chris Hughton says he will rely on the ‘youthful quality’ in his team to make amends for the players ruled out for their match against the Central African Republic (CAR).
Ghana’s initial 25-man squad was without key players Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Wollacott and Majeed Ashimeru among others due to injuries.
The situation was worsened when Joseph Paintsil was excused to leave camp following an injury he picked over the weekend while on duty with his club KRC Genk.
Hughton has however outlined his plan to adjust with the available players in other to suit the situation as the game approaches.
“You spoke about Joseph Painstil’s withdrawal from the squad and it’s the same as others, Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey, even going back to Ashimeru, Benjamin Tetteh has been in and around and yes Joseph Wollacott as well so there are several,” he told the media during the pre-match press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday.
“So I think as regards one individual, this is football and what you have to do is to adjust if for any potential player that perhaps might have started and of course he is injured, it’s a very good opportunity for somebody else and that is where you have to look at the strength of the squad that you have.
“I think it’s a good squad that we have. It’s a good squad, it’s a good balance of a squad, good balance of young players and experience and we will have to pull on. We will have to pull on that youthful quality that some of the young players have.
Ghana must avoid defeat to sail through to the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast while CAR have no option but to win to be sure of qualifying for the competition.
The game kicks off at the Baba Yara Stadium today at exactly 4pm local time.