Abdul Fatawu’s Ghana have qualified for the tournament finals in the Ivory Coast, and so he may not be an
Leicester City could now lose a fourth player to the Africa Cup of Nations after Abdul Fatawu’s Ghana sealed qualification on Thursday
Winger Fatawu was an unused substitute as the Black Stars came from behind to beat Central African Republic, new West Ham signing Mohammed Kudus equalising before Lyon teenager Ernest Nuamah scored an 88th-minute winner. The 2-1 victory means Ghana are the latest side to book their spot at next year’s finals in the Ivory Coast, the tournament running for four weeks from January 13.
And if Fatawu gets a call-up to represent the Black Stars, he could be the fourth City player at the tournament. Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are both expected to be in the Nigeria squad, while Patson Daka is a shoo-in for Zambia if he is fit.
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