Shooting Stars SC striker, Gbolahan Salami, is ruled out of Wednesday’s last-four duel against the Black Stars of Ghana in the ongoing African Nations Championship.
Coach Stephen Keshi confirmed in his pre-match spin that Salami, whose only goal in the competition came in the Opening Day loss to Mali, is one of the three players who will be sidelined for the all-West African semis in Bloemfontein.
A thigh injury has prevented the striker from full match fitness while Heartland defender, Benjamin Francis, and Ikenna Paul have also not recovered fully from a knee and hamstring problem respectively.
Although, Paul has resumed training, Keshi thinks the all-Important semis might have come too early for the player.
“As of today (Tuesday), I have three players that are not fit for tomorrow’s game,” Keshi said. “We have 23 players, three are out, 20 available for selection, and 11 will start so the available ones should do the business”.
Sunshine Stars’defender Solomon Kwambe returns to the home-based Eagles line-up after missing out on Saturday’s 4-3 ‘miraculous’ win over Morocco.
Bright Esieme and Kano Pillars’ Shehu Abdullahi are expected to retain their positions in place of Francis and Paul.
Francis has not played since the win over the Mambas of Mozambique in Eagles’ second Group A tie in Cape Town.
