Afriyie Acquah’s Black Stars return confirmed as Akonnor invites seven new players for Sudan qualifiers

Turkish-based midfielder Afriyie Acquah’s return to the Black Stars has been confirmed after it was announced that Black Stars coach Charles Akonnor has invited seven players for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifier against Sudan this month.

Three days ago, Ghanasoccernet.com exclusively reported that Acquah has been handed a call-up, ending his over a year absence.

The news was confirmed on Monday morning by the Ghana Football Association (GFA)

The GFA said the seven new additions to the team is due to medical reasons. Some players, including Thomas Partey, are likely to miss the crucial games.

Aside from Acquah, Midfielder for Austrian top-flight side, Red Bull Salzburg, Majeed Ashimeru has deservedly been invited.

Ashimeru’s exclusion from the initial squad announced last month, drew criticism from all quarters because he has been in great form.

The others include Joseph Attamah Larweh,  Clifford Aboagye, Kwadwo Amoako and Christopher Nettey.

Amoako and Nettey are the only local boys in the team as they play for AshantiGold and Kotoko respectively.

The Black Stars will begin camping in Accra on Monday, November 09, ahead of the game on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Ghana face Sudan at the Cape Coast stadium on Thursday, November 12, before travelling to Khartoum three days later for the reverse tie.

Updated Squad list:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates FC), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (Chelsea FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes, Afful Harrison (Columbus Crew FC), Anang Benson (MSK Zilina), Djiku Alexander (Strasbourg FC), John Boye (FC Metz), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens FC), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Kwadwo Amoako (AshantiGold SC), Christopher Nettey (Asante Kotoko SC), Andrew Kyere Yiadom (Reading FC), Joseph Attamah Larweh (Kayserispor)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Baba Idrissu (RCD Mallorca), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning FC), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens FC), Clifford Aboagye (Tijuana FC), Majeed Ashimeru (Red Bull Salzburg), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor)

Forwards/Wingers: Andre Ayew (Swansea City FC), Tariqe Fosu (Brentford), Samuel Owusu (Al-Ahli Jeddah) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace FC), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor), Jamie Leweling (Greuther Furth), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace)

By Wontumi2