Head Coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, Charles Kwablah Akunnor popularly known as CK Akunnor has named his 23 man squad ahead of a friendly match against Mali.
Looking at the squad, CK Akunnor dropped nine players from his initial list announced in March for the match against Sudan which were canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Coach CK Akunnor dropeed the likes of Christopher Antwi (Paderborn – Germany), Tariq Fosu (Brentford FC – England), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning – China), Alfred Duncan (Fiorentina – Italy), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade – Serbia), Yahaya Mohammed (Aduana Stars – Ghana), Richard Attah (Hearts of Oak – Ghana), Kwadwo Amoako (Ashgold – Ghana), and Andy Yiadom (Reading – England).
He however handed debuts to Benson Anang, Alexander Djiku, Emmanuel Lomotey, Kamal Deen and Yakubu Mohammed who plays for Azam FC.
Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan are back in the squad as well as Atlético Madrid midfielder and Arsenal’s target, Thomas Partey.
Ghana’s undoubted first choice goalkeeper, Richard Ofori is also in the 23 man squad.
The Black Stars were initially set to play two friendlies in October, against Mali and Equatorial Guinea but the Guineans announced their decision to pull out, leaving the GFA searching for new opponents to fill the spot.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers
Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United – South Africa)
Razak Abalora (Unattached)
Richard Ati Zigi (St. Gallen – Switzerland)
Defenders
Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg – France)
Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Club – Portugal)
Nicholas Opoku (Amiens – France)
Benson Anang (MSK Zilina – Slovenia)
Yakubu Mohammed (Azam FC – Tanzania)
Kasim Nuhu (Fortuna Düsseldorf – Germany)
Joseph Aidoo (Celta de Vigo – Spain)
Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes)
Midfielders
Baba Iddrisu (RCD Mallorca – Spain)
Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid – Spain)
Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – The Netherlands)
Bernard Mensah (Besikstas – Turkey)
Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens – France)
Forwards
Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC – Saudi Arabia)
Andre Ayew (Swansea City – England)
John Antwi (Pyramid FC – Egypt)
Eugene Ansah (Ironi Kiryat Shmona – Israel)
Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace – England)
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace – England)
Kamal Deen (FC Nordsjælland)
