Opare replaces injured Yiadom for Kenya match

Experienced Belgium-based defender Daniel Opare has been handed a late Ghana call-up for Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.

The Antwerp player was handed the call-up on Tuesday because of injury to England-based defender Andy Yiadom to boost the squad ahead of the game in Accra.

Opare, who looks almost certain to seal a place in the Africa Cup of Nations squad, was not initially called up to give coach Kwesi Appiah the chance to see other players.

But with the injury to the right-back who plays for Reading, the Black Stars coach has decided to turn to Opare so that his preparation plans are not put in disarray.

With the side playing two matches during the international break coach Appiah needs more legs for the matches against Kenya and Mauritania so a replacement has been found for Yiadom/

The 27-year-old, who plays for English Championship side Reading, has been excused from the Black Stars squad for the match in Accra because of the setback.

He picked the unexplained injury last weekend as Reading were held by with Stoke City in the English Championship match.

He won’t be fit for the game so coach Kwesi Appiah has decided that he must stay in England to begin treatment over the injury.

Yiadom has been in terrific form Reading this season and he is expected to be a key player for the Black Stars in the coming years.