Leicester City manager explains why Abdul Fatawu was excused from Ghana squad

By SABC Sport
8th September 2025

Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has moved to reassure supporters over the fitness of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

He insisted that the winger will be in "optimal condition" when the Foxes resume Championship action against Oxford United next weekend.

Fatawu was excused from Ghana's squad for the current international break after discussions between Leicester's medical team and their Black Stars counterparts.

The 21-year-old only recently returned from an eight-month layoff after suffering an ACL injury while on international duty last November.

According to Modern Ghana, concerns over fatigue, combined with Ghana's scheduled fixture on an artificial pitch in Chad, led to the decision to allow him to remain in England and continue his recovery programme.

"We are trying to protect him. He is still coming back from this injury. The international break will be very good for him," said Cifuentes.

"Since I arrived here, the progress on the minutes he's playing and the way we are managing the training, he's getting better and better. When we are back, I'm sure he's going to be in an optimal condition."

Fatawu briefly caused alarm during Leicester's 2-0 victory over Birmingham City prior to the FIFA break when he was helped off the field, but the club confirmed he had only been suffering from cramp.