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.
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.”
If Fatawu was to back up his impressive debut with performances of a similar quality, it would be a blow to lose him, albeit City are well-covered should he be called up. There are five other wingers available to Enzo Maresca in Stephy Mavididi, Yunus Akgun, Kasey McAteer, Wanya Marcal, and Marc Albrighton.
Losing Ndidi and Iheanacho for potentially five weeks, with a week of training expected before the tournament, is a bigger blow to City. They will then just be left with three options for the two number eight spots in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei and Dennis Praet, while up front they will only have Jamie Vardy and Tom Cannon.
