Rajevac explains why Kotoko’s Ganiu and others were dropped for first Zimbabwe clash

Black Stars head coach Milovan Rajevac has explained why Asante Kotoko’s captain Abdul Ganiu Ismail and four others were dropped ahead of the team’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe played at the Cape Coast Sports on Saturday.

The Serbian trainer who had earlier released a 32 man squad to prepare for the doubleheader against the Warriors ended up with 27 players in camp.

Ganiu together with Spezia Calcio midfielder Emmanuel Gyasi, Brentford winger Tariqe Fosu and Joseph Alfred Duncan, Mubarak Wakasso were dropped from the squad.

Speaking after Ghana’s 3-1 win over Zimbabwe last Saturday, the Serbian gaffer cited tactical variation and game plan for the doubleheader as the reasons behind his decision to drop those players that included Ganiu, who is considered one of the best defenders in the local scene.

“He [Abdul Ganiu Ismail] is not injured. It is just a situation we had and we needed to excuse few players as we could only register 23 players for the match and we needed to invite more players because of the COVID-19 protocols,” Rajevac told the press.

“They should be proud but it is always a tough decision to choose somebody you think is more appropriate for some games. It was a coach’s decision. It doesn’t mean they are not in contention for the next match. They are with us and part of the team.” he added.

The Black Stars after winning the first match left Accra for Harare, Zimbabwe for the reverse fixture scheduled to be played on Tuesday at the National Sports Stadium.