Antoine Semenyo has not joined up with the Ghana squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria after the Bristol City striker sustained a recurrence of a previous knee injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against West Brom.
Semenyo left the field in the sixth minute against the Baggies and, speaking after the game, Robins manager Nigel Pearson revealed the 22-year-old had “jarred his knee”. That was four days after he had suffered cramp in the closing stages of City’s 2-0 defeat at Barnsley.
Bristol Live understands that Semenyo was assessed on Sunday and wasn’t declared fit enough to play in either of the games against the Super Eagles on March 25 and 29, due to concerns over its potential seriousness. A full report into the extent of the injury is expected later today.
It’s desperately disappointing for the young striker who has enjoyed a fantastic season for the Robins since being moved into a central striker’s role in December, and he was set to play a part for the Black Stars in these fixtures in which the winner will earn a place at Qatar 2022.
For now, Semenyo, named Championship Player of the Month for January, will have to put his international dreams on hold and focus on the short-term with potential ramifications for the rest of the season.
The former SGS College pupil underwent knee surgery at the end of last season and his start to the 2021/22 campaign was detailed by complications arising from the operation, limiting him to just 94 minutes until he returned to the squad in late November.
Since earning a place in Pearson’s starting XI, Semenyo has been a constant presence in the team, scoring six goals in 21 appearances from November 20, and adding eight assists as he’s struck up a fine partnership alongside Andi Weimann and Chris Martin.
Semenyo is the fourth City player whose been a denied a place in an international squad for this set of fixtures, following Alex Scott (ankle, England Under-19s), Tomas Kalas (leg, Czech Republic) and Callum O’Dowda (knee, Republic of Ireland).
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
