Semenyo sent home from Ghana duty with swollen leg after starring for City

Antoine Semenyo has been released from Ghana’s squad for their AFCON qualifying fixtures against Ivory Coast and Gambia after sustaining a leg injury during Manchester City’s 5-3 Premier League victory over Sunderland on Sunday.

The winger scored twice in that game and was named man of the match, but admitted afterwards that he was “battered and bruised”. Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku confirmed the decision to send Semenyo home was made to protect the player rather than risk further damage.

“Antoine and the coach spoke, and he told the coach, ‘If you need me, I will come down for the medical team to re-examine me,’” Okraku said on Asempa FM. “But the truth is that my leg is swollen, and we need to treat it.”

Okraku framed the call as a straightforward one given the circumstances. “As a leader, if you want to know your players — and in this particular case, we know the players and how honest they are — you’d have to ask yourself whether you’d allow Antoine to continue with his recovery and be ready for Man City and for Ghana during the next window. Or have Antoine fly down to Ghana to undergo an MRI and then ask him to go back because he can’t play.”

There is currently no indication of how long Semenyo could be sidelined. The 25-year-old has started every Premier League minute for City this season and played the full 90 in the Community Shield, with his only rest coming in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich.

City manager Enzo Maresca had been effusive in his praise of Semenyo before the Manchester derby earlier this month, highlighting his contribution in the absence of Jeremy Doku. “He’s giving us a lot in terms of on the ball and off the ball,” Maresca said. “He’s working very well — not only on the ball, also off the ball, he’s helping the team a lot.”

City return to Premier League action on 19 October when they visit Liverpool, and Semenyo’s fitness will be closely monitored ahead of that fixture.