Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo is set to miss Ghana's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia due to a left knee collateral ligament injury. According to MyJoyOnline, the 26-year-old sustained the injury during a Premier League match against Ipswich. Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the timeline, stating that the winger could be sidelined for up to two months. Maresca noted that initial scans suggested a more severe issue, but the final assessment indicated a recovery period of approximately eight weeks. The forward has contributed to five goals in six starts for the club this season and previously missed Ghana's September and October qualifiers with an ankle issue.
As Ghana prepares for the fixture, the National Sports Authority is considering a potential venue change. Acting Director-General Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong told CitiSports that the Accra Sports Stadium, the only venue currently approved by the Confederation of African Football, may not be ready in time. Specific concerns were raised regarding the completion of floodlight repairs within a two-week window. To address this, the NSA is seeking approval to host the match at the Essipong Stadium in the Sekondi-Takoradi area. Sarpong suggested that moving the game would allow the Accra venue time to complete necessary maintenance while utilizing the Essipong facility, which recently returned to competitive football.
The Essipong Stadium hosted its first competitive match in seven years on October 13, featuring an Olympic qualifier between Ghana's Black Queens and Mauritius. The Black Queens won that match seven goals to zero. Ghana is scheduled to face Somalia on November 11, with the return leg taking place four days later. The potential relocation aims to ensure the home match is played in a fully operational venue, providing a backup plan should the Accra stadium's infrastructure upgrades face delays. This development occurs as Semenyo begins his recovery, aiming to return to the squad in December.