The Gambia summoned up full-back Jacob Mendy for a training camp, potentially costing Wrexham the player for the Africa Cup of Nations.
WHAT HAPPENED: Wrexham’s Mendy, who has emerged as a key player for Wrexham and has made 23 appearances in all competitions so far for Phil Parkinson’s men, was called up by Ghana national team boss Thomas Saintfiet to a pre-tournament training camp in Saudi Arabia. As a result, Mendy will miss Wrexham’s FA Cup third round match against Shrewsbury Town on January 7 and may be forced out of more games if he is named in the final squad for the tournament.
THE LARGER IMAGE
The goal of the training camp is to get the team ready for the competition, where they will play in the group stages against Senegal, Guinea, and Cameroon. The team will return to the Gambia on January 8 after spending time in the city of Al-Ahsa. A day later, Saintfiet is expected to reveal his final roster, and Wrexham will find out then whether Mendy will be available again or if they will have to play without him for an extended period of time.
WERE YOU AWARENESS?
In December, Mendy made his debut for his country as he played in a 2-0 World Cup qualification loss to Ivory Coast. His accomplishment was acknowledged by Wrexham, who added his name to the international honors board.
FOR MENDY AND WREXHAM, WHAT COMES NEXT?
When Wrexham plays Shrewsbury next, they will be trying to secure a trip to the tournament’s fourth round, and they will have to manage without Mendy. On Monday, January 15, the Gambia’s opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations is against the defending champions, Senegal.
