Orlando Pirates number one goalkeeper Richard Ofori has missed the plane to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Ghana.
Ofori was not included in the 26-man squad set to represent Ghana, largely due to injury.
Coach Otto Addo officially announced his 26-man squad to represent the Black Stars on Monday in the capital city of Accra.
GHANA WORLD CUP SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Abdul Nurudeen (Eupen), Ibrahim Danlad (Berekum Chelsea).
Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Bruges), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Alidu Seidu (Clermont), Daniel Amartey (Leicester), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Abdul-Rahman Baba (Reading), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre).
Midfielders: Andre Ayew (Al-Sadd), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg).
Forwards: Daniel Barnieh Afriyie (Accra Hearts of Oak), Kamal Sowah (Club Bruges), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes).
WHY OFORI AND CO MISSED OUT
“Every game is different and brings different demands,” said Addo when announcing the squad.
“There are some very close decisions and I am very sorry for those who didn’t make it to the team due to injuries or due to my decision. Surely, I have the last word because I know how I want to play and it’s just a pity. But this is football and this is the job I took and I have to do the job well.
Ghana have been drawn into group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea. The Black Stars will face Uruguay for the first time since their infamous 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
They also faced Portugal in the 2014 group stage. Portugal won that final group match 2-1, a result which stopped Ghana from advancing to the round of 16.
