2022 World Cup qualifiers: CK Akonnor names Black Stars squad for Ethiopia and South Africa games

Coach C.K Akonnor has named a 30-man provisional list for Ghana’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.

The list includes five home-based players Danlad Ibrahim, Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC), Ismail Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Steadfast FC) and Afriyie Barnieh of Accra Hearts of Oak. Orlando Pirates shot-stopper Richard Ofori who hasn’t played for Ghana since November last year following a muscle injury is in line to make his first appearance in 11 months after recovering from the setback.

Coach Akonnor has also handed call ups to Belgium based duo Manaf Nurudeen and Majeed Ashimeru.  Also making the list is Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.

The 20-year-old led Ghana to win the 2021 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania – and won the Premier League and FA Cup with Hearts of Oak.

Ghana 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.

GOALKEEPERS: 

1. Richard Ofori – Orlando Pirates FC – South Africa
2. Lawrence Ati Zigi – St. Galen FC – Switzerland
3. Manaf Nurudeen – Kas Eupen – Belgium
4. Richard Atta– Hearts of Oak – Ghana

FULL BACKS

5. Benson Anang – Zilina FC – Slovakia
6. Yiadom Andrew – Reading FC – England
7. Baba Abdul Rahman – Chelsea FC – UK
8. Gideon Mensah – FC Girondins Bordeaux – France
9. Baffour Philimon – Dreams FC – Ghana

CENTER BACKS

10. Alexander Djiku – RC Strasbourg – France
11. Daniel Amartey – Leicester City FC- England
12. Ismael Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko – Ghana
13. Jonathan Mensah – Columbus Crew – USA

MIDFIELDERS

14. Mubarak Wakaso – Shenzhen – China
15. Iddrisu Baba – RCD Mallorca – Spain
16. Thomas Partey – Arsenals FC – England
17. Emmanuel Lomotey – Amiens FC – France

WINGERS

18. Joel Fameye – Orenburg FC – Russia
19. Samuel Owusu – Al Fayhad – Saudi Arabia
20. Gyasi Emmanuel – Spezia – Italy
21. Kamal Deen Sulemana – Rennes FC – France
22. Tariq Fosu – Henry – Brentford FC – England
23. Isahaku Fatawu – Steadfast FC – Ghana

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:

24. Afriyie Banieh – Hearts of Oak – Ghana
25. Kudus Mohamed – Ajax FC – Holland
26. Majeed Ashimeru – RSC Anderlecht- Belgium

STRIKERS

27. Andre Ayew – Al Saad – Qatar
28. Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace – England
29. Kwame Opoku – USM Algiers – Algeria
30. Kelvin Yeboah – Sturm Graz – Austria