Maidens to miss two key players
Ghana’s Rafiatu Alhassan Kulchire and Grace Asantewaaa have been ruled out of this afternoon’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final clash with North Korea at the 12,300-seater Al Hassan International Stadium in the Jordanian city of Irbid.
Advertisement
The two midfielders, who have both started all three group games for the Black Maidens, will not play any role in the game due to health and disciplinary reasons.
Rafiatu was rushed to hospital in Jordan after she collapsed at the team’s hotel last Tuesday evening. Although she was treated and discharged by doctors, the player is expected to rest for about one week.
Grace, on the other hand, received yellow cards in the games against USA and Paraguay and is thus suspended from the game.
Maidens head coach, Evans Adotey, however, insists there are other players who will rise to the occasion when given the opportunity to replace Rafia and Grace.
"It's a big blow and will make my team selection a bit difficult for the match. But we have a training session this evening and we will be looking at who will be best to replace them," he told Ghanafa.org.
"I believe the any player who will be given an opportunity to start to tomorrow's match is capable of putting up a good performance," he added.
The game is expected to kick off at 1:00 p.m. — Ghanafa.org
