Posted by Head Coach of the Black Meteors, Ibrabim Tanko has ruled Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus out of the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be played in Morocco in June this year.
The Black Meteors secured a place at the U-23 AFCON after beating Algeria 2-1 on aggregate.
Speaking after the qualification, Coach Ibrahim Tanko was quizzed if there’s a possibility Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus could feature at the competition.
Ibrabim Tanko stated that Kudus will be ineligible for the competition. The midfielder will exceed the age criteria when the competition kicks off in June 2023.
Despite Kudus’ unavailability, Ibrahim Tanko has vowed to augment his team with the best U-23 players available.
“I think kudus cannot play in U-23 AFCON but we are looking at inviting good and quality players to come and help us. If only it’s a FIFA date. I think it’s the end of the season so we will have more of them,” Ibrahim Tanko told the press after Ghana’s qualification.
The 2023 U-23 AFCON is scheduled to be played in Morocco from 24 June to 8 July 2023. The competition will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris.
Ghana missed out on the 2020 Olympics in Japan after finishing 4th at the U-23 AFCON in Egypt – 2019. The Black Meteors are yet to play at the Olympic Games since 2004 in Greece.