Kasim Adams and Diadie Samassekou have hardly been in demand at TSG Hoffenheim for some time now. Can the two professionals use the Africa Cup as a showcase?
Only one competitive appearance for TSG this season: Diadie Samassekou.
Well, the basic requirements are at least in place, as Adams has been nominated for Ghana’s provisional squad, just like Samassekou for his home country Mali. However, the midfielder’s chances of making it into the West African squad, which has a maximum of 27 players, are mixed. Samassekou missed the two most recent international matches, both the 1-1 against the Central African Republic and the 3-1 against Chad in the World Cup qualifiers. The 27-year-old, who has only made one meager competitive appearance for the club this season, was missing.
From a beacon of hope, who once came from Salzburg for a double-digit million sum, Samassekou has developed into a bench warmer and a grandstand figure. It’s also expensive fun when it comes to salary, the six-man’s annual salary in his original contract in Kraichgau was 2.7 million euros. In the meantime, the contract was extended until 2025 as part of a loan to Olympiakos Piraeus, which in the end did not bring the hoped-for breakthrough or at least the interest of other clubs. At the tournament in Ivory Coast, Mali will face Namibia, South Africa and Tunisia in Group E.
Adams’ chances are better
Ghana starts in Group B and fights against Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique for a place in the knockout round. With Adams? Well, the 28-year-old’s chances are significantly better than those of his club colleague. In the World Cup qualifiers in November, Adams played against the Comoros (0-1) and came on as a substitute in the 1-0 win against Madagascar. And that even though the central defender was completely left out in the Hoffenheim preliminary round. At least he was able to gain a lot of match practice during last year’s loan to FC Basel.
The “Black Stars” move into their preparation camp in South Africa this Sunday. The national coaches Chris Hughton (Ghana) and Nouhoum Diané (Mali) have to decide by January 3rd whether they will take the TSG legionnaires with them to the Ivory Coast – and whether they can then use the Africa Cup of Nations as a stage to address their unsatisfactory situation To be able to solve the club.
2023-12-31 11:29:13
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