Yeni Malatyaspor star Afriyie Acquah has earned a late call-up into the Black Stars for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers double header against Sudan next week, SPORTSworldGhana.com sources in Turkey have confirmed.
One source says the tough-tackler received the invitation on Thursday 5th November 2020.
The former Torino star has been in scintillating form for Yeni Matalyaspor in the ongoing Turkish Supaliga season, registering 1 goal in 8 outings in all competitions.
The indefatigable defensive midfielder originally failed to earn a in Akonnor’s team when head he announced his 23-man squad for the two games.
Acquah is returning to the Black Stars after not being invited for almost one year, his last appearance was at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
Former coach Kwesi Appiah did not include him in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe last year November.
Also Akonnor did not invite him when he led the Black Stars for the first time as head coach to play two international friendlies against Mali and Qatar.
Ghana, four-tme African Champions lead Group C with 6 points following the two wins against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019.
Acquah.28, who was a key figure in Ghana’s team that lost on penalties to Ivory Coast in the 2015 Afcon finals, has scored one goal in 36 caps for the Black Stars.
Below is the initial full squad announced by Coach Charles Akonnor last week:
Squad list:
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates FC), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen)
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (Chelsea FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes, Afful Harrison (Columbus Crew FC), Anang Benson (MSK Zilina), Djiku Alexander (Strasbourg FC), John Boye (FC Metz), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens FC), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo)
Midfielders: Partey Thomas (Arsenal FC), Baba Idrissu (RCD Mallorca), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning FC), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens FC)
Forwards/Wingers:
Andre Ayew (Swansea City FC), Tariq Fosu (Brentford), Samuel Owusu (Al-Ahli Jeddah) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace FC), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor), Jamie Leweling (Greuther Furth), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace)
