CK Akonnor names Black Stars squad for Mali friendly, senior players dropped

Ahead of Ghana’s international friendly game against Mali, Black Stars head coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has named his 23-man squad.

Nine players were dropped from Akonnor’s initial list announced in March for the matches against Sudan which were eventually postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the players dropped are 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).

C. K Akonnor handed debuts to Benson Anang, Alexander Djiku, Emmanuel Lomotey, Kamal Deen and Yakubu Mohammed who plays for Azam FC.

Both Ayew brothers – Andre and Jordan – also return to the squad, as well as Atlético Madrid midfielder, Thomas Partey.

Richard Ofori is in the squad as Ghana’s undoubted first-choice goalkeeper, while Razak Abalora maintains his place in the squad.

Ajax Youngster, Kudus Mohammed, who scored against South Africa in Ghana’s first qualifier is also in the team.

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)