Southampton’s rising star, Kamaldeen Sulemana, is set to miss the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament with Ghana, as confirmed by Southampton coach Russell Martin. The talented player is grappling with a hamstring injury, hampering his chances of recovering in time for the prestigious continental competition.
Despite finding a spot on the provisional 55-man list for AFCON 2023, Sulemana’s participation is now in doubt, as Southampton manager Russell Martin elucidated on the player’s current physical condition.
Ahead of Southampton’s league encounter with Queens Park Rangers (0-1), Martin conveyed the unfortunate news, stating, “Kamaldeen will not be in the team.
I’m going to talk to Chris (Hughton) to find out where his physical condition is. He’s nowhere near ready for this match. He won’t be able to go.”
The setback adds a layer of disappointment for both Sulemana and Ghanaian football enthusiasts, as the promising player had been anticipated to contribute significantly to Ghana’s campaign in AFCON 2023.
The revelation by Coach Russell Martin, a respected figure in the footballing community, underscores the severity of Sulemana’s hamstring issue, necessitating a cautious approach to his recovery.
Martin further provided a glimpse of optimism, indicating that Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to regain full fitness towards the end of January or the beginning of February.
This timeline, while ruling him out for AFCON 2023, instills hope for the player’s return to competitive action in the subsequent footballing calendar.
As the football community absorbs this news, the focus shifts to Ghana’s management team, led by coach Chris Hughton, as they navigate the challenge of reshaping their squad strategy for AFCON 2023 in the absence of the promising winger.
The setback serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of injuries in professional sports and the resilience required to overcome such hurdles.
