Toulouse midfielder Abu Francis suffered a devastating leg injury during Ghana’s international friendly against Japan on Friday, creating a somber atmosphere at Toyota Stadium. The traumatic incident visibly shook players from both teams as the 24-year-old collapsed following an attempt to block a shot early in the second half.
Francis twisted his ankle severely while stretching for the ball, leaving teammates immediately waving for urgent medical assistance. Several Ghanaian players turned away in distress after witnessing the unnatural position of his leg. Medical personnel spent considerable time stabilizing him before carefully stretchering him off the pitch.
Squad Impact and Career Concerns
The injury occurred just as Francis regained his place in Ghana’s squad after missing World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. Alidu Seidu replaced him, but the team’s focus shifted from competition to concern for their teammate. The Right to Dream Academy graduate had joined Toulouse this summer following impressive performances at Cercle Brugge.
Initial assessments indicate Francis faces a potentially lengthy recovery period. Final prognosis awaits comprehensive scans and medical evaluations. His absence could significantly impact both Ghana’s midfield options and Toulouse’s Ligue 1 campaign.
Match Outcome and Next Fixtures
Despite the distressing incident, Japan completed the match with a 2-0 victory. Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan scored the decisive goals. Ghana now prepares for their upcoming friendly against South Korea this Tuesday as they continue World Cup preparations.
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