“Nations FC is prepared for life without Razak Simpson” – Kassim Mingle

Nations FC head coach Kassim Mingle-Ocansey has indicated that he is preparing for life without key defender Razak Simpson.

Simpson’s blazing form for the Ghana Premier League club earned him a national team call up, making his debut in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Angola at the November 11 Stadium in December 2024, a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Pinpoint delivery from the corner, and Razak Simpson scores his first goal for the Black Stars. pic.twitter.com/TbDerGIeCE

— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) May 31, 2025

There are reports linking the tough centre-back away from the club and Nations coach Mingle admits that he could miss the former WAFA player, causing him to begin preparing his team for life without the influential defender.

“I started building the defensive set up without him, when he is available he plays at time when he is available I don’t allow him to play,” Kassim Mingle told Radio Gold.

“So I let some of them play for some time so that the cohesion is there between those who are playing so when he left [for national assignment] we did not feel his absence.” Kassim Mingle added.

“Normally when you see such a thing you have to know that such a thing will happen so you have to prepare yourself for it.

“We know there are some deals in the pipeline for him already so that’s why I said we are building a team minus him at the moment and we have done that and definitely we will beef up the squad.

Simpson, 26, scored his debut senior goal at the 2025 Unity Cup where Ghana defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 4-0 at the GTech Stadium in May. He played in all two games – the 2-1 opening loss to Nigeria before the third place game against T&T.