Ghana coach CK Akonnor, will still name foreign-based players despite massive local players in the AFCON qualifying squad announced today, Friday 12th February 2021.
The former Ghana captain earlier today, named a 32-man home-based squad to begin preparation for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
The Ghana Football Association, coach Akonnor and the Black Stars management committee are planning life without the foreign-based players who may not be released by their clubs due to the rapid growth in the coronavirus cases.
Despite handing call-ups to a chunk of the locally-based players it is believed the Ghana gaffer will invite some foreign players to complement the local ones for the qualifiers.
The Black Stars are scheduled to take on the Bafana Bafana in round five of the qualifiers before tackling Sao Tome and Principe in the final qualifier.
The four-time African champions are tied on 9 points at the top of the standings in Group C after four matches with two games left.
The team will later be joined by other foreign-based players for the two qualifiers. These players are to report to the M Plaza Hotel in Accra on Monday, February 15, 2021.
Below is the full 32 home-based players announced by Akonnor on Friday:
Goalkeepers:
Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko), Bawa Lord Martey (Elmina Sharks), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC)
Central Defenders:
Haruna Jamal Deen (Great Olympics), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko), Ganiyu Ismail (Asante Kotoko), Konadu Yiadom (WAFA), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak)
Full Backs:
Amoako Kwadwo (AshantiGold SC), Christopher Nettey (Asante Kotoko), Ibrahim Moro (Asante Kotoko), Dennis Korsah Akoumah (Ebusua Dwarfs)
Midfielders:
Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Salifu Moro (Bechem United), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Michael Otou (Great Olympics), George Asamoah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Ben Acquah (Ebusua Dwarfs)
Attacking Midfielders:
Yaw Annor (AshantiGold SC), Salifu Ibrahim (Techiman Eleven Wonders), Maxwell Abbey (Great Olympics), Augustine Boakye (WAFA), Michael Agbekornu (Dreams FC)
Strikers:
Kwame Pepprah (King Faisal), Diawusie Taylor (Karela United FC), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC), Evans Etti (Accra Lions FC), Andy Kumi Francis (Unistar Academy), Welbeck Takyi (Tano Bofoakwa)