Asante Kotoko players dominate Black Stars squad

Black Stars coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has named a 32-man squad of home-based players to begin preparation for next month's Africa Cup of Nations double header qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Ghana will take on the Bafana Bafana away before playing host to Sao Tome and Principe in the final Group C qualifier.

The Black Stars are tied with South Africa on nine points and the top of the group standings with two games left. The 32-man squad will be joined later by foreign-based players for the qualifiers.

Gladson Awako is one of three Great Olympics players invited for camping

The squad is dominated by players of Kumasi Asante Kotoko who had six call-ups, with the Accra Great Olympics, Medeama and Ebusua Dwarfs contributing three players each.

Bofoakwa's Welbeck Takyi is one of the surprise inclusions in the squad

Surprisingly, three players from the second-tier league caught the eye of the national coach, with forwards Evans Etti (Accra Lions FC), Andy Kumi Francis (Unistar Academy) and Welbeck Takyi (Tano Bofoakwa) all making it into the squad who are due to commence camping on Monday.

Black Stars squad:-
Goalkeepers: Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko), Bawa Lord Martey (Elmina Sharks), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC).

Central Defenders: Haruna Jamal Deen (Great Olympics), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko), Ganiyu Ismail (Asante Kotoko), Konadu Yiadom (WAFA), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak).

Full-Backs: Amoako Kwadwo (AshantiGold SC), Christopher Nettey (Asante Kotoko), Ibrahim Moro (Asante Kotoko), Dennis Korsah Akoumah (Ebusua Dwarfs).

Defensive Midfielders: Justice Blay (Medeama SC), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Salifu Moro (Bechem United), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics), Michael Otou (Great Olympics), George Asamoah (Ebusua Dwarfs), Ben Acquah (Ebusua Dwarfs).

Attacking Midfielders: Yaw Annor (AshantiGold SC), Salifu Ibrahim (Techiman Eleven Wonders), Maxwell Abbey (Great Olympics), Augustine Boakye

coach (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team More (Definitions, Synonyms, Translation)