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Kwadwo Poku ‘Mahala’, who plays for FC Los Angeles Football Club, has earned his first call-up to the Ghana national team for the upcoming 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 21-year-old talented player is among the 14 foreign-based players included in Ibrahim Tanko’s 29-man provisional squad, which was announced on Thursda
Poku has had an impressive season with Los Angeles, playing a crucial role in their success. He was part of the team that won the 2022 Major League Soccer title and the 2022 Supporters’ Shield.
During Los Angeles’ title-winning campaign in the Major League Soccer last year, Poku Mahala contributed 7 goals and 2 assists in 34 appearances, starting in 20 of those games. In the current season, he has scored 2 goals and provided an assist in 13 games, starting 11 of them.
Known for his versatility, Poku can play in any of the three attacking positions, providing the team with multiple options in the forward line.
The Ghanaian squad will depart from Accra on Monday, June 12, 2023, and travel to Cairo, Egypt, where they will hold a two-week training camp and participate in a series of friendly matches to prepare for the tournament.
The 2023 U23 AFCON is set to commence on June 24, 2023, and will conclude on July 8. The top three teams in the tournament will secure automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics.
