‘I was omitted from Black Stars squad for AFCON 2023 to make way for Richard Ofori’ - Felix Kyei

Medeama goalkeeper Felix Kyei has shed light on the circumstances surrounding Richard Ofori’s inclusion in the Black Stars squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.

Ofori was part of the 26-man squad that ultimately exited the tournament at the group stage.

Meanwhile, Kyei, who was on standby, revealed that Ofori’s selection was made with the intention of helping him regain confidence and secure a club move after the competition.

In an interview with Medeama FM, the 22-year-old disclosed a conversation he had with then-coach Chris Hughton, explaining the rationale behind Ofori’s inclusion.

Kyei recounted that Ofori was included in the squad not only for his leadership qualities but also as a strategic move to aid his confidence recovery.

“Hughton told me if he has to drop any goalkeeper, it should be Richard Ofori but because of his leadership roles and other stuff he has to be included in the team. Again, I was told Ofori’s inclusion was to help him regain his confidence and also use the tournament as a springboard to get a new club”, Felix Kyei said.

Kyei shared that he was informed of his standby status before the tournament, and that Hughton had called him to commend his performance in a match at Tamale.

The coach advised him to maintain his good form, indicating that he could be called upon if any unfortunate incident occurred before the tournament’s start.

“We were about leaving for Ivory Coast for AFCON, and at the same time, I had a match at Tamale with Medeama. One day, I received a call from the then Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton, and he commended me for my performance and urged me to keep my performance. He told me I’m on the standby lists for the AFCON and that, I will be invited in case there is any unfortunate incident before the start of the tournament”, Felix Kyei mentioned.

Reflecting on the situation, Kyei emphasised that during national team call-ups, anything can happen and the coach’s decisions are always made with the team’s overall best interest at heart.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the official logo and match emblem for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 to be staged from July 5-26.

It is a bold new look for a new era for women’s football on the African continent and an iconic emblem for the prestigious tournament.