Ghana coach CK Akonnor has named a 23-man squad for upcoming back-to-back games against Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
After their opening two games in November 2019, the Black Stars are back in action after almost a year for their match-day 3 and 4 fixtures in Group C of the qualification process.
They play the Falcons of Jediane at home on Thursday, November 12 before turning attention to a reverse tie scheduled for Omdurman five days later.
Ghana began the chase for a ticket to the Cameroon Afcon on good footing, beating South Africa 2-0 at home and going ahead to also defeat São Tomé and Príncipe 1-0 away.
The Sudan clash is new boss Akonnor’s first competitive game since taking charge in January. He got the opportunity to lead the Stars in two international friendlies in October – a 3-0 defeat to Mali and a 5-1 drubbing of Qatar.
The Black Stars squad for Sudan:
Goalkeepers:
- Richard Ofori
- Lawrence Ati-Zigi
- Razak Abalora
Ofori, the new Orlando Pirates shot-stopper, is back in the mix after missing the team’s friendlies in October due to work permit challenges.
Defenders:
- Alexander Djiku
- John Boye
- Harrison Afful
- Benson Anang
- Baba Abdul Rahman
- Nicholas Opoku
- Gideon Mensah
- Joseph Aidoo
Akonnor obviously has opted for more experience with return-to-squad invitations to FC Metz captain John Boye, US-based Harrison Afful and Chelsea’s forgotten man Baba Abdul Rahman.
Midfielders:
- Thomas Partey
- Mubarak Wakaso
- Baba Iddrisu
- Emmanuel Lomotey
Combative midfielder Mubarak Wakaso is back for the first time since joining Chinese club Jiangsu Suning. All three other central midfielders were involved in the games against mali and Qatar in October.
Forwards/Wingers:
- Jordan Ayew
- Andre Ayew
- Caleb Ekuban
- Tariqe Fosu
- Samuel Owusu
- Jamie Leweling
- John Antwi
- Jeffrey Schlupp
Young Greuther Furth attacker Jamie Leweling is the only player earning a first senior-call-up in the squad while Crystal Palace’s ‘Mr. Versatile’ Schlupp, who missed the October friendlies due to injury, also returns with Egypt-based strikerJohn Antwi.