Soccer News of Friday, 19 August 2011

Source: Patrick Akoto

Inkoom dropped to Dnipro bench over his Ghana commitment

Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom is paying the high price for his commitment to his country as he continues to warm the bench for Ukrainian side Dnipro.

The right-back’s spell on the bench for FC Dnipro continued on Thursday night in a heavy 3-0 defeat to Fulham in the Europa League.

The 21-year-old was dropped for Dnipro’s starting XI this term since he defied the club to for Ghana’s U23 side two months ago.

As the first punishment for his insistence on playing for the Black Meteors, he had to take a pay cut by playing for Ghana’s Olympic team qualify for the All Africa Games.

The move by the ex-Asante Kotoko defender did not go down well with the club manager Juande Ramos.

Fulham manager Martin Jol was expecting to take a second look at the right-back after sending scouts to monitor him during Ghana’s botched friendly against Nigeria in London.

Inkoom needs more playing time at club level to maintain his place in the Ghana squad for future international assignments.

He aided the Meteors to eliminate Nigeria by giving a US$ 10,000 to that boosted them in beating the Dream Team to qualify.

Meanwhile, compatriot Derek Boateng started the match and was replaced after 59 minutes.