Black Stars attacker Daniel-Kofi Kyereh missed St Pauli's derby because of the lengthy journey from Cameroon, where he was eliminated with Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
“Kofi was just absolutely floored after the trip. I can only take people with me who are 100 percent fit and he just wasn't," said Timo Schultz, explaining the 25-year-old's non-nomination. That didn't come as a surprise to the coach. "I've been in communication with him, it was already clear that he wasn't at 100 percent," he said.
Ghana's journey was already over in the group stage of the continental tournament after just one point from games against Morocco (0-1), Gabon (1-1) and Comoros (2-3).
Kyereh reacted to Ghana's exit from the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations with a letter to Ghanaians on his Instagram page.
"There is no excuse for our performances in this tournament, we disappointed our country and the people who believed in us," Kyereh wrote on Instagram after the elimination.