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Sports

AFCON 2023 Qualifiers: Nicholas Opoku joins Black Stars in Luanda for Angola clash

By : cd on 27 Mar 2023, 01:33     |     Source: christian ahorgah

Chris Hughton

Chris Hughton has handed a call-up to Amiens defender ahead of Ghana’s AFCON Group E 2nd leg clash against Angola on Monday.

Salisu Mohammed and Alexander Djiku have both pulled out of the Black Stars camp following injury setbacks.

Nicholas Opoku thus provides options for Coach Chris Hughton following the absence of these two key members of the squad.

Commenting on Opoku’s late call up, the Gaffer expressed his delight having him in the squad ahead of Angola test.

”I don’t know Nicholas as well as some of the staff members and the players here do. So it was good to see him, not so long ago and reintroduce himself to the players so this was good. I have watched a lot of games, videos, I can tell you that not so much live because it’s difficult to get round to watch so many live games.

”But I have always known of Nicholas. I know his strength, he needs no introduction. He is somebody that comes in easily; he has played games before so that transition is easy for him coming into the squad. We lost three players in Djiku, Denis Odoi and Andre from the last game. I felt that we were covered enough in the offensive positions and instead of bringing two defenders in because we lost two defenders; I thought we just get the balance right to bring in one. Because I think we have a couple of players that can play in a couple of positions and I didn’t want to bring too many players. Nicholas is somebody that we know; he knows the players and I think the transition is easy” Coach Hughton said.

 

The former Berekum Chelsea has had 13 caps for the Senior National team since his Black Stars debut in July 2017.

The game which is scheduled for 17H00 kick off will be played at 11 November stadium in Luanda on Monday, March 27, 2023.