‘Always a great pride to serve my nation’ – Gideon Mensah

Zulte Waregem defender, Gideon Mensah, says it is always a great feeling and a sense of pride to serve his nation after being named in Ghana’s 23-man squad for the 2021 Afcon double-header against Sudan.

Mensah, 22, will be making his third and fourth appearance if handed starting berths by CK Akonnor having previously featured in Ghana’s game against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November last year.

The former WAFA star has been outstanding at SV Zulte Waregem in the Belgian league since joining them on loan from SK Sturm Graz, making 17 caps and starting all of them with one goal to his credit.

The former Liefering left-back took to Twitter to express his excitement after the squad was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The Black Stars are set to face the Falcons of Jediane twice in successive games – first at Cape Coast on March 27 and in Omdurman three days after – with the look to build on our unblemished record in Group C of the qualifying.

Always a great pride to be called up to serve your nation. One of the most joyous moments in my life so far. Going to give it my all. 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/d8G3sTu9VQ

— Gideon Mensah (@gideonmensah_14) March 3, 2020

The squad:

Goalkeepers:

Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Razak Abalora, (Azam FC, Tanzania) Richard Atta (Hearts of Oak)

Full-backs:

Kwadwo Amoako (AshantiGold), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England), Gideon Mensah (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)

Centre-backs:

Nicholas Opoku (Amiens, France), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kassim Nuhu (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany), Habib Mohammed (Asante Kotoko)

Midfield:

Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning, China), Alfred Duncan (Fiorentina, Italy), Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Mohammed Kudus (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark)

Wingers:

Christopher Antwi-Adjei (Paderborn, Germany), Tariq Fosu (Brentford FC, England), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC, Saudi Arabia), Andre Ayew (Swansea City, England)

Forwards:

Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Ra’anana, Israel), Yahaya Mohammed (Aduana Stars)