CK Akonnor names 5 debutants in maiden Black Stars squad

Black Stars coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor has handed out five debuts, in his first squad announcement since his appointment as head coach of Ghana's national team in January.

Akonnor's 23-man squad which includes debutants Kojo Amoako (Ashgold), Habib Mohammed (Kumasi Asante Kotoko), Richard Attah (Accra Hearts of Oak), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Raanan) and Tariqe Fosu (Brentford) are billed to face Sudan in an AFCON 2021 double-header on March 27 in Cape Coast and on March 30, away in Omdurman.

Announcing the squad on Tuesday in Accra, Akonnor stated that Swansea City talisman Andre Ayew remains the captain of the team while stressing that the Black Stars record scorer, Asamoah Gyan - who was not named among the 23 - remains the General captain of the team.

Akonnor handed call-ups to four Ghana Premier League (GPL) stars with the remaining 19 being drawn from Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The four GPL players are goalie Richard Attah of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kojo Amoako of Ash Gold, Habib Mohammed of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Yahya Mohammed of Aduana Stars.

Below is the entire 23-man squad;

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori(Maritzburg United), Razark Abalorah(Azam FC) Richard Attah( AccraHearts of Oak)

Defenders: Kwadwo Amoako(AshantiGold), Andy Yiadom(Reading), Gideon Mensah(Zulte Waregem), Nicholas Opoku(Amiens SC), Joseph Aidoo(Celta Vigo), Kasim Nuhu (Fortuna Düsseldorf) and Habib Mohammed(Kumasi Asante Kotoko)

Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning), Alfred Duncan(Fiorentina), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid) Kudus Mohammed (Nordsjaelland). Iddrisu Baba (Mallorca) Andre Ayew (Swansea City)

Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom(Crvena Zvezda/Red Star Belgrade), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Ra’anna), Yahaya Mohammed (Aduana Stars).