Black Stars Name Squad To Play Mali In Turkey

Ghana national team head coach C.K Akonnor has named a 23-man squad for upcoming friendly against Mali on October 9.

Turkey-based Bernard Mensah is back to the squad. The midfielder, who was very instrumental in Black Stars qualification to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, took a break from international football after suffering an injury.

The return of the 25-year-old Besiktas attacking midfielder back to the national team five years after the self-imposed break follows several negotiations including a meeting with Ghana FA president Kurk Okraku.

Other players making a return include two strikers; Jefferey Schlupp who plies his trade with English Premier League side Crystal Palace and Eugene Ansah from Israel Premier League side Hapoel Shmona.

Akonnor has also included unattached goalkeeper Razak Abalora who recently left Tanzanian Premier League side Azam FC following the end of his contract.

Meanwhile, five new players have earned their maiden call up to the squad: Alexander Djiku who plays for Strasbourg in France, Yakubu Mohammed of Azam FC in Tanzania, Benson Anang of MSK Zilina in Slovakia, Emmanuel Lomotey of Amiens in France and youngster Kamal Deen who plays for Danish side Nordsjaelland.

Ghana are scheduled to play Mali on September 9th, in Antalya, Turkey as part of their preparations for the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan.

Squad list:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg), Richard Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Razak Abalora (Unattached)

Full Backs: Benson Anang (Zilina FC), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Club), Yakubu Mohammed (Azam FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes)

Centre Backs: Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta de Vigo), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens), Kassim Nuhu (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens), Bernard Mensah (Besiktas), Baba Iddrisu (RCD Mallorca)

Attackers/Wingers: Andre Ayew (Swansea), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Shmona), Jefferey Schlupp (Crystal Palace), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC), Kamal Deen (Nordsjaelland SC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax SC)