Ghana head coach Charles Akonnor insists his squad is ready to improve in their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Monday evening.
The Black Stars head into the match with seven key players out due to Covid-19 rules in certain parts of Europe.
Among the seven players recalled are five England-based players who all started Friday’s 1-0 win over Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Crystal Palace duo of Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew, as well as Daniel Amartey of Leicester City, were not part of the travelling party to Johannesburg.
Championship side Reading have also called their two players, Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman while Stade Rennes forward Kamaldeen Sulemana and Daniel Kyereh of German side St. Pauli could also not travel with the Black Stars.
With South Africa marked as a Covid red-list country, the seven players could have undergone a ten-day quarantine on their return.
Despite losing the key players, Akonnor is confident of a good performance from the remaining players.
“We invited 32 players because we were aware of the situation, so we are prepared.
“We knew that the England-based players might not come here with us because of the COVID-19 situation.
“So we knew exactly what will happen so it’s not going to be an excuse,” he told reporters on Sunday.
After drawing in their first game against Zimbabwe, South Africa aim for their first win and will surpass Ghana who won their first game last Friday against Ethiopia.
