Ex-City academy ‘keeper joins up with Ghana squad

FORMER Bristol City academy goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott will earn some World Cup redemption after jetting out to be with his Ghanaian teammates after a cruel injury ruled him out of the tournament, writes Richard Forrester.

The 26-year-old Charlton stopper has emerged as the Black Stars’ No1 over the last year and would have undoubtedly started for Otto Addo’s side in Qatar. Wollacott was denied his opportunity on the big stage by sustaining a finger injury in the final game before the tournament.

He had surgery on his fractured finger over the weekend and has headed out to the Middle East ahead of their opener against Portugal tomorrow. According to the Ghana FA, Wollacott’s involvement will be to help motivate his colleagues as they look to upset the odds against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

The Bristol-born stopper, pictured below, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the international stage after leaving City. He spent 12 years in BS3 having come through the academy and endured nine loan spells before leaving for Swindon in League Two in the summer of 2021 without making a first-team appearance.

He earned his first call-up to the national side 13 months ago in a 3-1 World Cup qualification win over Zimbabwe and has since cemented his position in the side. Last summer, he joined League One side Charlton on a free transfer. Wollacott will reunite with Antoine Semenyo in Qatar with the City 22-year-old striker pushing for a start tomorrow.