AFCON Qualifiers: Akonnor drops 8 players from Black Stars squad
Ghana coach C.K. Akonnor has excluded eight players from his squad as the team continues with preparation for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé and Principe.
The matches are scheduled for March 24 and 28 respectively.
Coach Akonnor made an initial call-up of 32 home-based players but the team’s first training last week was honoured by 26 players.
Those who could not show up for training included six players from Kotoko who were excused due to the Porcupine Warriors’ participation in the CAF confederation cup.
As the team resumes camping on Thursday, the coach has trimmed the squad.
Notable amongst the players dropped is Hearts of Oak defender Mohammed Alhassan.
Other players axed from the squad are Bawa Lord Martey (Elmina Sharks), George Asamoah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Ben Acquah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Michael Agbekornu (Dreams FC), Evans Etti (Accra Lions FC), Andy Kumi Francis (Unistar Academy), and Welbeck Takyi (Tano Bofoakwa).
However, Chinese-based Mubarak Wakaso and Emmanuel Boateng have been included in the squad, the two players are currently on holiday in Ghana and have been called up to join the team ahead of the two games.
The GFA has notified the public that due to the current COVID-19 protocols, the training sessions will be behind closed doors but the GFA media team will provide pictures and videos to the media and the public on a daily basis.
The communications team will later announce dates for media engagement with the technical team and some of the players.
The under-listed players are hereby informed to report at the M-Plaza Hotel in Accra at 10 am on Thursday, February 25, 2021.
Goalkeepers: Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars), Razak Abalorah (Asante Kotoko), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC)
Defenders: Ganiyu Ismail (Asante Kotoko), Yusif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko), Kwadwo Amoako (AshantiGold SC), Konadu Yiadom (WAFA), Ibrahim Moro (Asante Kotoko), Haruna Jamal Deen (Great Olympics), Christopher Nettey (Asante Kotoko), Dennis Korsah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Joseph Agyei (Legon Cities)
Midfielders: Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Michel Otou (Great Olympics), Yaw Annor (AshantiGold SC), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Maxwell Abbey (Great Olympics), Augustine Boakye (WAFA), Salifu Moro (Bechem United), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC)
Forwards: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Pro), Kwame Peprah (King Faisal), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko), Diawusie Taylor (Karela United)