USM Alger striker Kwame Opoku has been included in the Black Stars’ 30-man squad to face Morocco and Ivory Coast in the June International window.
Opoku who made his debut against South Africa in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, has been named in the squad for the two games as Akonnor prepares his team for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa in September.
Akonnor is expected to lead his charges into the two high profile games against North African giants Morocco (Atlas Lions) and two-time African champions Ivory Coast (Elephants) next month in place of the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers that got cancelled last week.
Richard Ofori who missed the AFCON qualifiers in March makes a return to the squad having recovered from a groin injury. Reading FC’s Andy Yiadom, Portugal based Gideon Mensah, and Frank Achempong have all made a return to the team for the two matches.
Former Tema Youth winger Joseph Painstil who has had a stellar campaign in Turkey for Ankaragucu has also earned a call up.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko), Ibrahim Danlad (King Faisal)
Left back: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria Guimaraes)
Right back: Andy Yaidom (Reading FC), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC)
Centre back: Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg FC), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Ismail Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Adjei (Legon Cities), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens FC)
Midfield: Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen FC), Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Baba Idrissu (RCD Mallorca)
Left Wing: Samuel Owusu (Al-Fayha FC), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia), Frank Acheampong (Shenzhen FC), Tariqe Fosu Henry (Brentford FC)
Right Wing: Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Nordsjaelland)
Forward: Andre Ayew (Swansea City FC), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace FC), Kwame Opoku (USM Alger), Joseph Paintsil (Ankaragücu).
Ghana is scheduled to play against Morocco on Tuesday, June 8 in Rabat before taking on Ivory Coast on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium.
