Ghana coach CK Akonnor has called up 30 players to begin camping for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa.
Majority of members of the squad announced by Ghana Football Association ply their trade overseas apart from five who feature in the Ghana Premier League.The local players are Richard Atta (Hearts of Oak), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC), Ismail Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Steadfast FC) and Afriyie Barnieh of Accra Hearts of Oak.
Akonor has named two debutants in squad led by KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen and Kelvin Yeboah of Sturm Graz.
Belgium based duo Manaf Nurudeen and Majeed Ashimeru have also been invited, with the coach looking seemingly cautious of the likelihood of foreign-based players, who largely make up the main team, being denied release by their clubs for the upcoming games on coronavirus-related grounds.
The Black Stars will take on the Walias of Ethiopia at the Cape Coast stadium on Friday, September 3, before playing South Africa on Monday, September 6, 2021 in Johannesburg.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Ofori – Orlando Pirates FC – South Africa
Lawrence Ati Zigi – St. Galen FC – Switzerland
Manaf Nurudeen – Kas Eupen – Belgium
Richard Atta– Hearts of Oak – Ghana
Full Backs
Benson Anang – Zilina FC – Slovakia
Yiadom Andrew – Reading FC – England
Baba Abdul Rahman – Chelsea FC – UK
Gideon Mensah – FC Girondins Bordeaux – France
Baffour Philimon – Dreams FC – Ghana
Center Backs
Alexander Djiku – RC Strasbourg – France
Daniel Amartey – Leicester City FC- England
Ismael Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko – Ghana
Jonathan Mensah – Columbus Crew – USA
Midfielders
Mubarak Wakaso – Shenzhen – China
Iddrisu Baba – RCD Mallorca – Spain
Thomas Partey – Arsenals FC – England
Emmanuel Lomotey – Amiens FC – France
Wingers
Joel Fameye – Orenburg FC – Russia
Samuel Owusu – Al Fayhad – Saudi Arabia
Gyasi Emmanuel – Spezia – Italy
Kamal Deen Sulemana – Rennes FC – France
Tariq Fosu – Henry – Brentford FC – England
Isahaku Fatawu – Steadfast FC – Ghana
Attacking midfielders :
Afriyie Banieh – Hearts of Oak – Ghana
Kudus Mohamed – Ajax FC – Holland
Majeed Ashimeru – RSC Anderlecht- Belgium
Strikers
Andre Ayew – Al Saad – Qatar
Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace – England
