Ghana name squad for Mali friendly next month as Black Stars step up preparations for 2021 AFCON qualifiers
Charles Kwablan Akonnor has named his first squad for Ghana’s friendly game against Mali next month as Black Stars step up preparations for 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
The two West African countries meet in Turkey early next month as football in International level knee on returning on the African continent.
Ahead of the clash on 9th October, CK Akonnor has named a 23-man squad with old faces dominating the list while seven new faces were included on the list.
Marizburg shot-shopper Richard Ofori, unattached Razak Abalora and Lawrence Ati-Zigi of St Gallen, who have been getting the better of call ups in Black Stars’ goalkeeping department in recent times were shortlisted in Akonnor’s first senior team call up.
Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Partey and Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew were included on the list whiles Andre Ayew who was made captain of the Black Stars two weeks ago was named in Akonnor’s strikers for Les Aigles’ clash.
Seven new faces in Benson Anang of MSK Zilina, Azam FC star Yakubu Mohammed, Alexander Djiku of Strasbourg, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Eugene Ansah, Emmanuel Lomotey and John Antwi, who knee on making their Black Stars debut were part of the list.
Turkey based Bernard Mensah makes a return to the team for the first time in five years as Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu and Mubarak Wakaso are missing from the list.
Full squad below
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg), Richard Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Razak Abalora (Unattached)
Full Backs: Benson Anang (Zilina FC), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Club), Yakubu Mohammed (Azam FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes)
Centre Backs: Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta de Vigo), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens), Kassim Nuhu (Hoffenheim)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens), Bernard Mensah (Besiktas), Baba Iddrisu (RCD Mallorca)
Attackers/Wingers: Andre Ayew (Swansea), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Shmona), Jefferey Schlupp (Crystal Palace), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC), Kamal Deen (Nordsjaelland SC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax SC)
The game against Mali will one of those games scheduled in Ghana preparations for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The African top flight qualifiers was halted in March this year due to coronavirus pandemic leading to cancellation of Black Stars double header against Sudan early this year.
With football eventually coming back, Ghana is expected to face Sudan in the double header in November- a year Ghana last played and against Sao Tome & Principe under former boss Kwesi Appiah.
Ghana were also scheduled to play Equatorial Guinea three days later, but the Central African country, late Thursday, pulled out of the game, citing new travel restrictions imposed in their country.
Equatorial Guinea’s borders are closed, and flights are suspended due to new COVID-19 rules.
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