Leicester City boss explains decision to release Fatawu Issahaku for Ghana duty  

Leicester City manager Martí Cifuentes has explained why his outfit approved Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s Ghana call up for the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Issahaku returns to the national team after lengthy injury lay-off. The former Ghana U20 star sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last November while in action for the Black Stars in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Having gained full fitness, the winger has been included in the Ghana squad for the crucial games against Central African Republic and Comoros.

Speaking ahead of the international break, Martí Cifuentes disclosed Issahaku’s determination to represent Ghana prompted Leicester City approval.

“We have been speaking with the medical department and the performance department about how Abdul is. There’s an improvement, obviously, every week,” he said.

“He wanted to go, that’s the most important thing, there’s a couple of important games for them, but he’s definitely looking really good.” He said.

Issahaku has been in a blistering form, scoring two outstanding goals and providing an assist. For Ghana, the sight of Issahaku in the national team colours again brings renewed hope, but for Leicester City, it stirs quiet anxiety.

The West African football heavyweights head into the final round of the qualifying series on top of Group I, needing four points to book a spot at the biggest soccer mundial to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

The Black Stars will take on Central African Republic on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes before hosting Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 12.