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AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has shed light on why forward Antoine Semenyo opted out of Ghana’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger during the November international window.
Semenyo, who was initially named in the Black Stars squad for the qualifiers, chose to sit out and focus on recovery. He is now set to feature in Bournemouth’s match against Brighton later today.
Explaining the decision, Iraola stated that both Semenyo and his teammate Milos Kerkez needed time to recuperate and improve their fitness levels.
“With Antoine, it’s a situation similar to Milos. These are young players who have been playing many minutes for both the club and their national teams,” Iraola said.
“The past few weeks were the only opportunity they had to receive treatment, rest for a few days, and address any issues,” he added.
The manager highlighted the importance of this break, noting, “They needed to pause, undergo treatment, and work on their physical condition to keep up with the high demands we place on them, as we rely on them a lot.”
Semenyo has been instrumental for Bournemouth this season, scoring four goals in 12 appearances across all competitions. His decision to focus on recovery reflects the intense physical demands of balancing club and international commitments.
