Ghana‑Morocco duel cancelled: Boakye returns early to ASSE
The cancellation of the friendly duel scheduled for Sunday, October 4, between Ghana and Morocco in Tangier frees Augustine Boakye, who was still due to play for the Black Stars. Without this match, the young striker could join the ASSE earlier, giving Ian Cathro an additional option before the meeting with FC Sion.
Ghana’s defeats in qualification
Ghana suffered another disappointment in the qualifiers for AFCON 2027. After a 2‑0 loss to Ivory Coast, the Black Stars conceded 2‑4 to Gambia, despite a two‑goal lead, and remain without points after two matchdays in Group C.
The friendly match against Morocco, scheduled in Tangier for Sunday, October 4, was cancelled. The Ghanaian federation cited “internal reasons”, while the Moroccan federation confirmed that Mali would replace Ghana. Media outlets mention tensions over bonuses or sums owed to players, but no official confirmation has been given.
Augustine Boakye came on during the first encounter with Ivory Coast and also took part in the match against Gambia. Initially slated to stay until the duel with Morocco, he could now return earlier to L’Étrat and join the ASSE squad.
Impacts for the ASSE
The ASSE is preparing a training match against FC Sion on Friday, October 2, in L’Étrat, behind closed doors. The Ghanaian player was supposed to remain with the national team until the friendly, but Ghana will no longer play any matches during this international window, and the players have already left the camp.
For Ian Cathro, Boakye’s early return provides an extra option before the test against Sion, while the Saint‑Étienne side boasts an excellent start to the season with four goals and three assists in Ligue 2. The striker’s availability, however, still needs to be confirmed for the friendly.
In sum, the cancellation of the Ghana‑Morocco duel works to the ASSE’s advantage, which could count on Boakye sooner than expected. The decision could influence the team’s preparation ahead of its encounter with FC Sion.