Gyan, Asamoah, Atsu, Wakaso, Boye, Others Dropped By CK Akonnor Ahead Of Ghana, Mali Friendly

Ghana coach, CK Akonnor has dropped most of the big figures in the Black Stars team ahead of Mali friendly.

Akonnor, 45, on Friday afternoon named 23 man squad for the friendly as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nation [Afcon] qualifiers against Sudan in November later this year.

However, the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, Alfred Duncan and Christian Atsu have all be dropped by the gaffer.

C. K Akonnor handed debuts to Benson Anang, Alexander Djiku, Emmanuel Lomotey, Kamal Deen and Yakubu Mohammed who plays for Azam FC.

However, the four local players who were handed a call up by Akonnor in March this year has also been dropped.

The four local players include Richard Attah (Accra Hearts of Oak), Mohammed Yahaya (Aduana Stars), Habib Mohammed (Kumasi Asante Kotoko), and Kwadwo Amoako (Ashgold SC).

Both Ayew brothers – Andre and Jordan – also return to the squad, as well as Atlético Madrid midfielder, Thomas Partey.

Richard Ofori is in the squad as Ghana’s undoubted first-choice goalkeeper, while Razak Abalora maintains his place in the squad.

Ajax Youngster, Kudus Mohammed, who scored against South Africa in Ghana’s first qualifier is also in the team.

The Black Stars were initially set to play two friendlies in October, against Mali and Equatorial Guinea but the Guineans announced their decision to pull out, leaving the GFA searching for new opponents to fill the spot.

Full squad:

• Goalkeepers

Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United – South Africa)

Razak Abalora (Unattached)
Richard Ati Zigi (St. Gallen – Switzerland)

• Defenders

Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg – France)
Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Club – Portugal)
Nicholas Opoku (Amiens – France)
Benson Anang (MSK Zilina – Slovenia)
Yakubu Mohammed (Azam FC – Tanzania)
Kasim Nuhu (Fortuna Düsseldorf – Germany)

Joseph Aidoo (Celta de Vigo – Spain)
Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes)

• Midfielders

Baba Iddrisu (RCD Mallorca – Spain)
Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid – Spain)

Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – The Netherlands)

Bernard Mensah (Besiktas – Turkey)
Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens – France)

• Forwards

Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC – Saudi Arabia)
Andre Ayew (Swansea City – England)
John Antwi (Pyramid FC – Egypt)
Eugene Ansah (Ironi Kiryat Shmona – Israel)
Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace – England)
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace – England)
Kamal Deen (FC Nordsjælland)