Abdul Fatawu’s Ghana have qualified for the tournament finals in the Ivory Coast
Leicester City could now lose a fourth player to the Africa Cup of Nations after Abdul Fatawu’s Ghana qualified on Thursday.
Winger Fatawu was left out of reserve as the Black Stars came from behind to beat Central African Republic, with West Ham rookie Mohammed Kudus equalizing before Lyon teenager Ernest Nuamah scored. decisive victory in the 88th minute. A 2-1 victory meant Ghana was the last team to qualify for next year’s final round in Ivory Coast, with the tournament taking place over four weeks from January 13. .
And if Fatawu is called up to represent the Black Stars, he could be City’s fourth player at the tournament. Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are both expected to feature in the Nigeria team, while Patson Daka is a contender for Zambia if fit enough.
It is not a certainty that Fatawu will be called up though. He was not originally included in Chris Hughton’s squad for this international break, but called up as an injury replacement when Genk’s Joseph Paintsil dropped out. While he has 14 caps for his country, he’s not played since a cameo in their final World Cup group game in Qatar last December, while his last start for the Black Stars came last September.
Former Newcastle and Brighton manager Hughton said: “He’s just joined Leicester City which is a wonderful move for him. He didn’t play so much in Portugal. It’s a good move for him and one that will really develop his career.”
Should Fatawu follow up on his impressive debut with performances of similar quality, it would be a huge loss to lose him, although City are well protected if he is called up. There are five other wingers for Enzo Maresca: Stephy Mavididi, Yunus Akgun, Kasey McAteer, Wanya Marcal and Marc Albrighton.
Losing Ndidi and Iheanacho which could be five weeks, along with an expected week of training ahead of the tournament, is a bigger blow to City. They will then be left with just three options for two number eight spots in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei and Dennis Praet, while in front they will only have Jamie Vardy and Tom Cannon.
