Jordan Ayew will miss Ghana’s defence of its world Under-20 title in Accra on Saturday against Namibia after Olympique Marseille refused to release him.

The youngest son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele was set to continue a strong family tradition with Ghana’s national team by playing for the Black Satellites as they begin the defence of their world title.

But Marseille coach Didier Decshamps has refused to release Jordan from Marseille’s pre-season camp for the game.

The Under-20 qualifier is not covered in the international calendar, which makes it mandatory for clubs to release players for the games, and while Jordan was keen to follow in the footsteps of his senior brother Dede, who played a key role as Ghana won the 2009 world title.

Jordan is the third foreign-based player who has had to pull out of the qualifier for the African championships in Libya.

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