AFCON 2021: Akonnor names Ghana squad for South Africa, Sao Tome clash

Black Stars head coach, CK Akonnor, has named his squad for the Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé later this month.

Akonnor settled on nine of the 25 locally-based players he called up to camp ahead of the qualifiers.

They include Gladson Awako, Joseph Esso, Ismael Ganiyu, Razak Abalora, Eric Ofori Antwi, and Kwame Opoku.

Meanwhile, Ghana U20 trio Philemon Baffour, Danlad Ibrahim, and Abdul Fatawu all earned a place in the squad.

The likes of Hamburg SV defender Stephen Ambrosius, Kotoko’s Abdul Ganiyu, Colchester United midfielder Kwame Afriyie Poku, Gladson Awako, Osman Bukari, Joseph Esso, Kamal Sowah, and Emmanuel Gyasi all earned their maiden call ups to the team.

Some of the high-profile local-based players who have been dropped were Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey, King Faisal’s Kwame Peprah, Medeama’s Justice Blay as well as the leading scorer in the ongoing Ghana Premier League, Diawisie Taylor.

The Squad

Ghana face South Africa on Thursday 25th March 2021 before engaging Sao Tome and Principe three days later on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at home.

Three points from the two games will guarantee Ghana a place at next year’s AFCON in Cameroon.