The 2021 AFCON in Cameroon is less than a month away and Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac is expected to officially announce Ghana’s provisional squad net week.
SportsworldGhana.com takes a look at six center-backs who may make coach Milovan Rajevac’s squad.
1. Alexander Djiku- Strabzbourg
The-french born defender has been in top form for Strabzbourg in the French Ligue 1 since last season. He’s currently rated as one of the best Centre-backs in the league as a result of his splendid performance week in week out.
Djiku has so far made sixteen caps for Strabzbourg this campaign. He has been a pivot in the Black Stars team since making his international debut for Ghana in a friendly against Mali in Turkey in October 2020.
2. Daniel Amartey- Leicester City
The Leicester City man has become a reliable defender for manager Brendan Rodgers this season in the English Premier League with some superlative display.
After helping his side win the 2021 English FA Cup, Amartey has gone ahead to feature in top league games against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.
He played a key role in the Black Stars qualification for the AFCON and the World Cup playoffs.
The former FC Copenhagen defender’s versatility will absolutely be needed in the team and coach Milovan Rajevac being already aware will for that matter, hurriedly pen down his new in the yet to be announced squad.
Amartey has so far featured in eight Premier League games for Leicester City this term.
3. Jonathan Mensah- Columbus Crew
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup winner, isn’t new in the Black Stars team, having featured in many AFCON tournaments for the four-time African champions.
Jonathan Mensah got his maiden Black Stars call-up under the Serbian manager for the 2010 AFCON in Angola and as well pLayed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Columbus Crew captain has been outstanding for his team in the American top-flight league, playing a total of 29 matches and netting twice so far this season.
His experience and calmness in defense is nothing to be underrated and obviously can’t miss coach Milovan Rajevac’s squad for the tournament.
4. Abdul Ganiyu Ismail- Asante Kotoko
The Asante Kotoko captain is one of the few home-based defenders who can’t be overlooked for next year’s AFCON in Cameroon. Although Ganiyu has played few games for the Black Stars, his performance in those matches coupled with that of the ongoing 2021/22 Ghana Premier League this season, makes him a strong candidate to make the cut.
The former Karela United central defender has featured in all seven games Asante Kotoko has played so far in the league. His impressive display, certainly, can’t go unnoticed by the technical handlers of the Black Stars team.
5. Pius Baffour Awuah- King Faisal
The Insha Allah lads guardsman has been a top performer in the ongoing Ghana Premier League, helping his team clinch second spot position on the league standings.
Baffour has had a very solid partnership at the back with former Hearts of Oak defender Richard Akrofi.
Baffour is undoubtedly the best Centre-back so far in this season’s Ghana Premier League with King Faisal and deserves a spot in coach Milovan Rajevac’s provisional squad for thorough assessment in Doha where Ghana will be camping before flying to Cameroon for Africans biggest competition.
6.Abdul Mumin- Victoria Guimaraes
The youngsters of the six defenders, Portugal-based talented defender Abdul Mumin is one player who has been knowing the Black Stars doors with his impressive performance in the Portuguese top-flight league.
The former FC Nordjalland star is considered one of the top defenders in the league and has currently emerged as a major transfer target of some English Premier League clubs namely Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United.
Having excelled in Eleven league games for Vitória de Guimarães, Abdul Mumin’s inclusion in Ghana’s provisional squad for the AFCON would undeniably create competition for coach Milovan Rajevac’s team as the country aim to end its forty years trophy drought.
