As CK Akonnor takes charge of his first assignment as the head coach of the Ghana Senior National team, a lot is expected to change in terms of his choice of players.
The new Ghana boss who took over from Kwasi Appiah gave a lifeline to six debutants, maintained the same midfielders his predecessor chose but rather increased the number of attackers.
Akonnor, however, dropped nine players from the previous Black Stars squad who were named in Kwasi Appiah’s squad that faced South Africa and Sao Tome during the beginning of the qualifiers.
Below are the 9 players dropped from CK Akonnor’s squad
Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
The Asante Kotoko goalkeeper was not handed a call up into the Black Stars list named on Tuesday. The Kotoko Captain hasn’t manned the post for his club in the Ghana Premier League since 12th January, missing 9 games in the process.
Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA)
The Columbus Crew defender turned down Kwasi Appiah’s call up after suffering a broken jaw which ruled him out for months and saw him miss the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The right-back returned from injury weeks ago and even registered an assist in Columbus Crew’s win over New York City FC in the MLS recently.
Lumor Agbenyenu (Real Mallorca, Spain)
The Mallorca left-back could not make it for Ghana’s previous games despite earning a call-up. Lumor picked up an injury in training and was unable to pass the fitness test after checks conducted by the medical team. The defender who recently returned from injury played the entire 90 mins in Mallorca’s defeat to Getafe last Sunday.
Joseph Attamah (Fatih Karagümrük, Turkey)
Attamah was invited to join Kwasi Appiah’s team as a replacement for Lumor Agbenyenu. The defender played as a substitute in the doubleheader replacing Iddrisu Baba in both games played. The Ghanaian has been an active member for his side featuring in their stalemate with Osmanlispor FK on Sunday.
Mohammed Salisu (Real Valladolid, Spain)
CK Akonnor dropped inform Mohammed Salisu from his squad as well, the defender who has attracted the interest of top European Clubs was unable to make the trip after being handed a call up by Kwesi Appiah.
Proven to be a reliable defender, the 20-year-old has just a goal to his name and has featured in 26 games for the Spanish side. His efforts have helped his team keep 8-clean sheets this season.
However, Akonnor revealed that efforts to reach the player for a call up proved futile – the reason why he wasn’t included.
Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China)
The former Levante striker was involved in Ghana’s previous games. Boateng was unable to find the net in both games played. The attacker was booked in the game against South Africa before being subbed.
His frustrations continued into the game against Sao Tome where he lasted 64 mins. Dalian Yifang has been out of action since the deadly Coronavirus broke out in China.
Torric Jibril (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
Despite earning his debut call-up to the Black Stars last October, the former Hearts of Oak player has never featured for the Black Stars.
The 29-year-old winger has neither featured for his club, TP Mazembe this season. He was an unused player in the Black Stars’ doubleheader against South African and Sao Tome and Principe.
Shafiu Mumuni (Ashantigold, Ghana)
The Black Stars B skipper has been out of action in the Ghana Premier League since matchday 4 after picking up an injury. Ashanti Gold goal poacher has temporarily lost his place in the Senior National Team under C.K Akonnor’s. The striker did not feature in his first call up for the Black Stars.
Patrick Twumasi (Gazi?ehir Gaziantep, Turkey)
The 25-year-old has also been left out of the current squad by the new head coach. Twumasi who has been consistent for Turkish club Gaziantep contributed to his side 1-1 draw to Goztepe in February. The forward earned a late call up in Kwesi Appiah’s doubleheader but was unused in both games.
CK Akonnor