Head Coach of the senior national men’s football team (the Black Stars), Charles Kwablan Akonnor, has announced a 30-man provisional squad ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.
Hearts of Oak duo Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Richard Attah, Sturm Graz forward Kelvin Yeboah and KAS Eupen’s Abdul Manaf Nurudeen all receive their maiden Black Stars call-ups with Head Coach Akonnor excited about their addition.
“Manaf Nurudeen who is a new young man coming into the squad, he was once with the U-20s. He’s gone to Belgium, he has performed so well (conceded 4 in his last 3 games for KAS Eupen) and I think he deserves a chance and we will give him that chance.” Coach Akonnor said about the 22-year-old shot-stopper.
“Richard Attah who has been superb for Hearts of Oak, he’s had over 14 clean sheets. It’s his first time and he also deserves a call-up.”
Akonnor continued this time speaking about Hearts attacking midfielder Daniel Afriyie Barnieh who made 22 appearances for 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions scoring 3 goals “Afriyie Barnieh; talented player, brave guy, done so well. This season we’ve seen him a couple of times he deserves to be here.”
On 21-year-old forward Kelvin Yeboah, Akonnor believes he may have the solution to Ghana’s striking issues as the Sturm Graz forward has kicked off the 2021/2022 Austrian season in impressive form scoring 3 goals and assisting 2 in 4 starts. “If you are looking for goal scorers this is one guy I believe once we encourage him and fit him in the way we play and he understands everything, he will be of good use to us in the near future.”
The Black Stars are scheduled to host Group G opponents Ethiopia on Friday, 3rd September 2021 in Cape Coast, before heading to Johannesburg to face South Africa on Monday, 6th September 2021.
Below is Akonnor’s 30-man provisional squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Richard Ofori – Orlando Pirates FC (South Africa)
Lawrence Ati Zigi – St. Galen FC (Switzerland)
Manaf Nurudeen – KAS Eupen (Belgium)
Richard Atta– Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
FULL BACKS
Benson Anang – Zilina FC (Slovakia)
Yiadom Andrew – Reading FC (England)
Baba Abdul Rahman – Chelsea FC (England)
Gideon Mensah – FC Girondins Bordeaux (France)
Baffour Philimon – Dreams FC (Ghana)
CENTER BACKS
Alexander Djiku – RC Strasbourg (France)
Daniel Amartey – Leicester City FC (England)
Ismael Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko (Ghana)
Jonathan Mensah – Columbus Crew (USA)
MIDFIELDERS
Mubarak Wakaso – Shenzhen (China)
Iddrisu Baba – RCD Mallorca (Spain)
Thomas Partey – Arsenal FC (England)
Emmanuel Lomotey – Amiens FC (France)
WINGERS
Joel Fameye – Orenburg FC (Russia)
Samuel Owusu – Al Fayhad (Saudi Arabia)
Gyasi Emmanuel – Spezia (Italy)
Kamal Deen Sulemana – Rennes FC (France)
Tariq Fosu – Henry – Brentford FC (England)
Isahaku Fatawu – Steadfast FC (Ghana)
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Afriyie Banieh – Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
Kudus Mohamed – Ajax FC (The Netherlands)
Majeed Ashimeru – RSC Anderlecht (Belgium)
STRIKERS
Andre Ayew – Al Saad (Qatar)
Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace (England)
Kwame Opoku – USM Algiers (Algeria)
Kelvin Yeboah – Sturm Graz (Austria)
