Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm have commented on Richard Ofori missing out in the FIFA World Cup squad with Ghana.
Ofori didn’t make Otto Addo’s World Cup squad today, having sustained an injury which looked to have been aggravated when he featured in the MTN8 final against AmaZulu in Durban two weeks ago.
He was already doubtful for that match, after he sustained an injury in the league match against AmaZulu on 14 October at Orlando Stadium.
He then missed the next three matches – a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows in the league, a 3-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final second leg and also the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs late last month.
However, in the Derby game, Ofori was on the bench, deputising for Siyabonga Mpontshane before he appeared in the MTN8 final.
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Fellow goalkeeper Williams says he feels “gutted” to have seen his Orlando Pirates counterpart miss out on the tournament in Qatar.
“Obviously it is not nice hearing the situation of Ofori and I’m gutted for him because I know him quite well,” said Williams at the Bafana Bafana camp in Mbombela where they will face Mozambique and Angola in two friendly matches on Thursday and Sunday.
“I spoke to him not too long ago and he was excited. All I can say is I wish him a speedy recovery.”
This has represented an enormous blow for Ofori’s national team career as he also missed out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals earlier this year in Cameroon due to the injury he suffered against Bafana Bafana in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
Timm, who is his club teammate having been key when Pirates won the Wafa Wafa Cup in Durban, expressed his own sadness at Ofori’s omission from the World Cup, as this is every player’s dream to play at.
“I have a good relationship with him. The last time we spoke a few days ago, he was waiting for his results (of the injury),” said Timm, who was called up to the Bafana squad for the first time in his career.
“We spoke about the situation going to the World Cup and he played the final and that was the risk he was willing to take.
“He is a big man, I know he will recover well and I wish him well. I’ll probably call him later. But speedy recovery to him.”
Ghana is also without Charlton Athletic goalie Jojo Wollacot due to a finger injury, with Addo picking the goalies who have little experience at the national stage.
