Kassim’s absence would be due to accumulation of two yellow cards in the competition so far.

This is line with article 42:1 of the regulations of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) governing the competition.

It says “for the qualifying phase and the Final Tournament, a player who receives two cautions shall be automatically suspended from playing the following match. This automatic suspension shall be communicated by the Secretariat to the Associations concerned.

He was booked in the opening match against Benin and received his second yellow card in the competition on Saturday against Cameroon.

The defender has enjoyed a perfect partnership with John Boye and Jonathan Mensah in both matches.

Coach Kwesi Appiah would now have to develop a new partnership between Mensah and debutant Joseph Aidoo or Joseph Attamah Larweh in the next game against Bissau.

Ghana would be seeking a win to gather all three points at stake in the game to enhance their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.

By William D. Ezah, GNA courtesy Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited