The Ghanaian arbiter took charge of the Africa Cup of Nations Group K qualifying encounter between Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.

Mr Bulu, 34, who has been an international referee since 2019, fell to the playing turf after showing signs of unease.

He was subsequently stretchered off and was taken to a local hospital in Abidjan.

Initially appointed as the fourth official, Mr Bulu ended up overseeing the qualifier after his compatriot, who had been scheduled to officiate the match, reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.

Even with Patrice Beaumelle’s men leading the Walias 3-1, fourth official Koussi Biro was not eligible to conclude the game as he is Ivorian.

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After extensive discussions, Kenya’s Gilbert Cheruiyot (assistant referee) sounded the final whistle in the 90th minute.

The Ethiopian Football Federation stated that there will be a decision on the outcome of the match.

“The game has been cancelled. The referee has been taken to hospital because he fell sick and fell on the field. Caf decision is expected,” they wrote in a statement.

Goal further reports that should Caf decide to cancel the result – it would be of no significance as both countries are already through to Cameroon 2022 following Madagascar’s failure to defeat Niger Republic.

Cote d’Ivoire will be making their 24th appearance in the continental finals at next year’s African football showpiece. There, they would be hoping to win for the third time after previous successes at Senegal 1992 and Equatorial Guinea 2015.

For 1962 champions Ethiopia, they are making a return to the competition since their last appearance in 2013. In South Africa, they crashed out in the group stage after failing to negotiate their way past the Super Eagles, Burkina Faso and Zambia in Group C.

The game was staged in Abidjan at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny with Ivory Coast winning the game by 3-1.

The FIFA referee was stretched off the field in the 80th minute during the game after struggling to stand on his feet.

The match ended abruptly following the Ghanaian referee who had collapsed in the last 10 minutes of the game.

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The fourth official, who was expected to replace Mr Bulu, is an Ivorian and could not do so to avoid a conflict of interest.

As a result, the match had to be called off with 10 minutes left to be played.

The match has no importance as the two teams have already secured qualification to the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Cameroon

The Black Stars sealed qualification to the continent’s flagship tournament next year after finishing top of Group C with 13 points.

After failing to win the AFCON since 1982, Ghana will be seeking glory next year. Mr Palmer said on Nhyira FM that the Kurt Okraku-led administration has to strategise for the Nations Cup as a project and not just for the ‘bread and circus’ of representing the nation.

“To borrow the words of Samuel Osei Kuffour, we must plan the AFCON as a project and not prepare for the competition [AFCON 2021]. We should have the intention of going there to win. I want to drive this motivation from Dede Ayew, he has solid leadership qualities. He charged the boys that one competition that they have never participated in is the Confederations Cup so they should try and participate in it,” he said.

“The only way to play the Confederations Cup is by winning the AFCON and this can challenge them. They have played at the World Cup before so this can be motivation enough for them. When we have a solid team there is no problem in achieving this target of winning the AFCON again,” he added.

Mr Palmer has opened up his doors to provide support to the football family anytime he is consulted.

“I am always available. My doors have never closed to football because I eat, drink and everything I do is about football,” he assured.

The pair, alongside other local players, made the cut to C.K. Akonnor’s squad for the final round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualifiers.

Ganiu, who plays for Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League, was sensational in the game against South Africa where the Black Stars sealed their qualification at the FNB Stadium.

The central defender continued his impressive performance against Sao Tome in the final game at the Accra Sports Stadium.

However, Awako, who is U-20 World Cup winner and the captain of Great Olympics, also made his debut for the Black Stars in the final game coming in the second half where the Black Stars recorded a 3-1 win.

Mr Lippert, who replaced Francis Oti Akenteng as the technical director, in an interview with Asempa FM, reiterated that Ganiu was impressive in both games but he was impressed with Awako’s output against Sao Tome.

He stressed that he has hopes the pair, especially will make their way to the Black Stars starting squad.

“In the training, they showed a very good performance but today it’s not enough to track them. I can assess Ismail Abdul Ganiu, he made two very good matches but the other players it was on the 20-minute much time.

“Talking about Gladson Awako, we know what he can do but we have to see him again and again on this level.

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“Also, Sao Tome is not at the highest level for me so it’s difficult to assess a player.

“Gives him [Gladson Awako] more time, they are adapting very well in training so I think more players like Ismail Abdul Ganiu and Gladson Awako will make the way to the first eleven in the squad,” he added.

Chelsea-owned left-back Baba Rahman rounded off the Black Stars’ scoring in the second half after Jordan Ayew and Nicholas Opoku gave the Black Stars a two-goal advantage.

A howler from Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora led to a goal from Fernandes Carvalho. It was the Island nation’s third goal of the campaign, having conceded 16 goals.

The win ensured Black Stars finished top of Group C, with Sudan securing the second spot after they beat South Africa 2-0 in Omdurman.

With qualification secured, the focus now is to end the long-wait for the title. The Black Stars last lifted the Afcon trophy in 1982.

Saifeldin Malik gave the hosts a fifth-minute lead in a clash of former African champions by heading past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams off a free-kick.

Mohammed Abdelrahman doubled the lead on 31 minutes, taking advantage of hesitancy by captain Thulani Hlatshwayo before firing past Williams at his near post.

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki took off star forward Percy Tau just past the hour and surprisingly replaced him with defender Sifiso Hlanti, given the desperate need for goals.

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Ghana defeated Sao Tome 3-1 in Accra in a match played at the same time to finish first with 13 points, followed by Sudan (12), South Africa (10) and Sao Tome (0).

South Africa have gradually faded as a Cup of Nations force after hosting and winning the competition in 1996 and finishing second and third in the following two editions.

Failure to qualify for the 2021 tournament in Cameroon means Bafana Bafana (The Boys) will miss the finals of the marquee African competition for the fourth time in seven editions.

The latest failure is sure to pile pressure on the national football association to ditch Ntseki, with the group phase of 2022 World Cup qualifying starting on May 31.

South Africa are in the same group as Ghana, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia and only the winners of the six-matchday mini-league will advance to the final round.

Appiah, who is a former Black Stars gaffer, started the qualifying games by recording a 2-0 win against South Africa at Cape Coast Stadium.

The 60-year-old, under his guidance, also led the Black Stars to beat Sao Tome away with Jordan Ayew scoring the only goal of the game.

However, Akonnor, who was named as coach Appiah’s successor, ensured that the team qualifies for tournament that will be hosted in Cameroon.

After Ghana’s qualification for Africa’s prestigious competition, Akonnor has credited Appiah for starting the qualifiers on a good note.

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“I would like to, first of all, thank my former boss, Kwasi Appiah who started the qualifiers winning two games,” he told Asempa FM after the game.

“We have now qualified for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and I am glad we have been able to do that but credit goes to him [Kwesi Appiah] because he started the journey.

“He’s the reason why we just needed to win one and draw to make it and I want to acknowledge him for everything.

“We have to prepare for that and know that we can do our best,” he added.

Ghana secured a qualification after holding South Africa to a 1-1 drawn game at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg before hammering Sao Tome 3-1 in their final group game.

The Black Stars finished as Group C winners with 13 points.

Akonnor has been tasked to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations by the Ghana Football Association.

The Black Stars booked their place in the finals after drawing 1-1 with South Africa away in their most recent Group C game which was played on Thursday.

The Black Stars are sitting at the top of the group standings – level on points with second-placed South Africa and a point above third-placed Sudan, but the Black Stars have a superior head-to-head record over both teams. 

However, coach Charles Akonnor’s side has been boosted by the arrival of three key players in Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew ahead of their clash with Sao Tome.  

“Captain Andre Ayew, vice-captain Thomas Partey and striker Jordan Ayew have joined the Black Stars ahead of the game against São Tomé and Principe.

“The three England-based players missed the game against South Africa due to issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic as the rainbow country has been declared a Covid-19 risk zone by the World Health Organisation.

“The trio trained with the rest of the squad on Friday, at Accra Sports Stadium as the team began preparation for the final Group C Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against São Tomé and Principe,” a Ghana Football Association statement read.

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Meanwhile, Sao Tome’s hopes of qualifying for the next year’s tournament have long diminished and they are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Sudan at home in a Group C game on Wednesday.

The Falcons and True Parrots place fourth in the group standings without a single point having lost all five of their matches in Group C.

Adriano Eusebio, the Sao Tome head coach, named 11 overseas-based players in his squad for their clashes with Sudan and Ghana with Belenenses SAD starlet Ricardo Cardoso being part of the team.

“I have considered the importance of these games and I decided to call up 11 players from abroad and 15 from local championships,” Eusebio said. 

The previous encounter between Ghana and Sao Tome was on 18 November 2019.

Ghana claimed a 1-0 victory over Sao Tome in the 2022 AFCON qualifier Group C game at the Estadio Nacional 12 de Julho in Sao Tome.

The Black Stars sealed their qualification after holding the Bafana Bafana of South Africa to a 1-1 drawn game at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Akonnor, 47, after the game, expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the playing body responded to his tactics.

“Going into the game we knew what was expected of us,” Coach Akonnor said.

“We knew the strength of the South African team and how they would play and attack, so we were well prepared to play without the ball.

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“Team organisation was key for us, we came with the idea that if we could leave with a draw, we would be fine, we didn’t need to lose and we were able to achieve that,” he concluded.

Mohammed Kudus scored for the Black Stars in the 49th minute before Percy Tau cancelled the lead in the 59th minute.

Ghana is currently at the summit of Group C with 10 points and will host Sao Tome at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in the final round of matches.

Ghana took the lead through Mohammed Kudus but shortly surrendered that lead as Percy Tau struck for Bafana Bafana.

South Africa were the dominant side throughout the game creating the clearer opportunities, but Ghana survived after putting up a resilient performance.

Here are five things we learnt from the game:

Ghana qualifies but still work to be done

The Black Stars have secured qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations set to be hosted in Cameroon.

Currently, on 10 points, Ghana have a superior head-to-head than South Africa and Sudan who both play each other in the last round of qualifiers.

Meaning regardless of what happens on matchday six of the qualifiers, Ghana will still qualify.

Despite qualifying, there is a lot of work to do on this team as the Black Stars currently lack a style of play and an identity.

For large periods of the game, Charles Akonnor’s men were second best and were dominated by the South Africans.

If Ghana has ambitions of winning the AFCON soon, Akonnor will need to improve this side drastically.

• CK Akonnor needs to impose himself sooner rather than later

It’s been more than a year since Akonnor took charge of the Black Stars. However, due to Covid-19, he hasn’t had the chance to really work with the boys, playing just two friendly games and three qualifiers.

In those games, Ghana struggled against Mali, South Africa and Sudan in the reverse fixture. Even in the games won against Sudan and Qatar, the team failed to really establish patterns of play.

It’s understandable because Akonnor hasn’t had a closed group of players to rely on, consistently changing his squad due to the pandemic.

His job has been made harder but time is also running out as the team is expected to put up a good showing in the AFCON next year.

• Kwame Opoku has a debut to forget

There was a lot of hope when Kwame Opoku started the game especially because he represented the Ghana Premier League after an impressive spell with Asante Kotoko before getting a move to USM Alger.

Strangely, the former Kotoko striker started from the left-wing and barely had a touch of the ball.

Opoku struggled through the game and looked lost playing out wide. He was required to do a lot of defensive work and mostly left Baba Rahman exposed at halftime.

The striker was substituted at half time as he failed to make any necessary impact.

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• Mohammed Kudus steps up

In the absence of key players such as captain Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus stepped up and took the game on his shoulders.

Throughout the first half, the Ajax midfielder was Ghana’s brightest spark and always looked lively on the ball.

It came as no surprise that the 20-year-old was at hand to score Ghana’s goal after a sweet control on the edge of the box.

At such a young age, the confidence displayed by Kudus is one which gives hope to Ghana.

• Wakaso and Acquah pivot leaves Ghana handicapped

Starting with a flat front three of Emmanuel Gyasi, Caleb Ekuban and Kwame Opoku meant that the midfielders were largely needed to help progress the ball.

For the most parts of the game, Mubarak Wakaso and Afriyie Acquah saw a lot of the ball but always opted for a back pass instead of moving the ball forward.

As a result, Ghana’s attack was stifled and the attackers were starved off the ball.

The presence of Thomas Partey was hugely missed in the middle of the park as Ghana struggled to dominate the midfield.

Ghana will be hosted by the Bafana Bafana at the FNB Stadium at 16:00GMT.

The Black Stars need just a point to book their qualification for the tournament that will be hosted in Cameroon.

Ghana, four times winner of the Africa Cup of Nations, sits on top of Group C with nine points.

Coach Charles Akonnor, his backroom staff, players and some staff of the FA went for sight-seeing before the crunch tie against the Bafana Bafana.

The Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, that includes a large open area built to resemble a traditional European town square and an office complex.

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Check pictures from the famous Nelson Mandela square:

The Black Stars will play as guests to Bafana Bafana at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. 

Ghana, Sudan, and South Africa all have nine points and anything but a win will mean the Black Stars must avoid defeat in their last group game in Accra against Sao Tome on Sunday to secure qualification.

According to the Ajax midfielder, preparations ahead of the game have been good and he is confident Ghana can beat South Africa to punch their ticket to Cameroon.

“It has been very good. There’s a very good team spirit and unity in camp and everyone is 100% ready for the game,” Kudus told the GFA media.

“The goal is to qualify for the AFCON so we go into every game with the same mentality, whether it is two games or one game that we have to win, the mentality is the same. It’s the same spirit so whether we will qualify after this game or the next game, it’s the same mentality and we are going to do our best to seal qualification.

“The best way to approach the game is thinking that it’s a new game. Because we beat them the first time, they are going to come with extra motivation to beat us so the most important thing is to match their spirit and play what we know best,” he added.

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Kudus, a former FCNordsjaellad forward, who scored in the first leg in November 2019, said “we will approach the game the same way we did the other time. But that is gone, this is a new game and is the most important one for us and that is what the focus is about.

“I know that the players are ready. We have been preparing very well and I can see that everyone is pretty much ready for the game and what I can tell Ghanaians is that they should back us with prayers and support and we will do our best to seal qualification for the AFCON,” he added.

Sudan’s 2-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday night means a draw will no longer be enough to secure a ticket to Cameroon for Ghana with Group C thrown wide open.

Ghana will play their final group game against Sao Tome at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday on March 28.

The Black Stars are guests to Bafana Bafana in a crucial Group C game after Sudan beat Sao Tome and Principe 2-1 Wednesday afternoon.

Akonnor says there is pressure on the opponent rather to win before their away fixture against Sudan.

“That was our home this time it is an away match. On their home grounds, the pressure is on them and psychologically they would have to win,” coach Akonnor told GFA News.

He continued: “We also have to mount a strategy that will give us the victory and so I’m very very hopeful and from what I have seen the last weeks.

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“What we have worked on if we are able to implement it here we will get a good result.”

The game will be played in Johannesburg and has been scheduled to kick off at 16:00GMT.

Ghana, South Africa and Sudan have claimed nine points with Sao Tome, clearly the minnows in the group losing all their games so far.

A win for Ghana grants them a slot to the Afcon that will be played next year in Cameroon.

Victory for either side will secure qualification to the continental showpiece set to be held in Cameroon next year.

Currently, Ghana, South Africa and Sudan all sit on nine points in Group C with the Sudanese playing a game more.

South Africa, which lost 2-0 to the Black Stars in Ghana last year, will be out for revenge.

With head-to-head being used as the tiebreaker, Bafana Bafana will have to equal last November’s 2-0 loss to stand a chance of qualifying should both countries be stuck on 12 points after matchday six.

Ghana will also be desperate to appease their fans back at home after falling to a shock defeat to Sudan in their previous qualifier.

Match preview

Ghana now finds itself in a late dramatic bid for qualification after conceding late against Sudan during the last international break. The result means the Black Stars have to now get at least three points from two games to be sure of qualification to the next AFCON.

Prior to the Sudan loss, the four-time AFCON winners were on course to easily glide through the qualifiers having won their first three games.

South Africa on the other hand are the in-form team after winning three straight games since their defeat to Ghana in Cape Coast.

Consecutive wins against Sao Tome (2-0 and 4-0) have put Bafana Bafana in a very strong position to book their ticket to next year’s AFCON.

However, Molefi Ntseki’s men will be wary, knowing that they have to book qualification early because Bafana Bafana still have to travel to face Sudan in their last game whilst the Black Stars are at home against minnows Sao Tome and Principe.

When it comes to the head-to-head between the two countries, Ghana has lost just once in their previous nine encounters with South Africa and hasn’t lost a competitive game against Bafana Bafana since February 2000.

Essentially, this means the Black Stars will head into this match confident of getting the job done, although some key players will be absent.

South Africa form: W-W-L-D-W

Ghana form: L-W-W-L-W

Team News

Due to South Africa being marked as a Covid-19 red zone, European players were cautious and some opted not to be involved in this fixture.

Ghana is hardest hit with this conundrum as key players such as captain Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey will miss the crucial game against South Africa although the trio will be available for the Sao Tome and Principe clash.

C.K. Akonnor has had to reshuffle his squad quite a number of times as goalkeeper Richard Ofori and left-back Gideon Mensah have pulled out of the squad due to injury.

Kasim Adams Nuhu and Stephan Ambrosius rejected call-ups and won’t be available for coach Akonnor.

As a result, coach Akonnor has had to put his trust in the home-based players selecting 12 of them.

Ntseki has almost the full complement of his squad as he will have just a couple of players missing out.

Kermit Erasmus and Bradley Grobler will both miss out on the Ghana game due to injury.

South Africa were worried about the availability of key man Percy Tau who has scored three goals in the qualifiers so far.

Fortunately for Bafana Bafana, Brighton agreed to allow Tau to join his country as he will have to quarantine upon his return.

South Africa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Williams; Morena, Lebusa, Hlatshwayo, Lakay; Zungu, Furman; Tau, Zwane, Dolly; Manyama.

Ghana Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Abalora; Annan, Opoku, Ganiu, Rahman; Lomotey, Wakaso; Gyasi, Kudus, Ekuban; Opoku.

South Africa vs Ghana prediction

With both teams setting up to win and gain qualification to the AFCON as early as possible, it’s expected that they will end up canceling each other out. Especially because Ntseki or Akonnor do not want another defeat heading into the final qualifier.

Prediction: South Africa 1-1 Ghana

The much-anticipated game has been scheduled to take at the FNB Stadium on Thursday, March 25 in Johannesburg.

A total number of 26 players left the shores of the country.

Captain Andre Ayew, who did not embark on the trip to South Africa, met his teammates at the airport to offer words of encouragement.

His brother Jordan Ayew and midfielder Thomas Teye Partey will join the squad later for the final game against Sao Tome and Principe in Accra on March 28.

The Black Stars sit at the top of Group C with nine points after four games and are in search of a ticket to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates – South Africa), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC – Ghana), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko- Ghana)

Full Backs: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK – Greece), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina – Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC – Ghana), Imoro Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko)

Central Defenders: Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC – France), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Joseph Adjei (Legon Cities), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko)

Central Midfield: Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C – China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC – France), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Justice Blay (Medeama SC – Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United – England)

Left Attacking Midfield: Osman Bukari (Gent – Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)

Attackers: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Professional- China), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia – Italy), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), John Antwi (Pyramids FC – Egypt), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II – Holland), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor – Turkey)

The three England-based players were left out of the Black Stars’ original 29-man squad announced for the penultimate Group C clash with Bafana Bafana and the final group game against Sao Tome and Principe three days later.

Their exclusion was on the request of their clubs as entry into South Africa for the away clash will require that the players undertake mandatory hotel quarantine for 10 days on their return to the United Kingdom (UK) before joining up with their clubs.

This directive is in accordance with the UK’s safety protocols in relation to inbound travels from jurisdictions classified as Covid-19 high-risk countries and consequently red-listed, as is the case of South Africa.

With the Ghana FA having struck a deal with Swansea, Palace and Arsenal to exempt the trio from the South Africa trip, the players have been given the green light by the clubs to join the Black Stars’ camp for the Sao Tome clash.

Also, Germany-born Hamburg defender Stephan Ambrosius, who was surprisingly named in the 29-man squad, has rejected Ghana’s call-up, instead opting to represent the country of his birth at the upcoming European U21 championship.

Fellow Germany-based centre-back Kasim Adams Nuhu, who plays for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, has also pulled out.

In their place, Ghana coach CK Akonnor has called up Asante Kotoko defender Yussif Mubarik and Legon Cities man Joseph Adjei.

Vitoria Guimaraes left-back Gideon Mensah was also withdrawn from the 29-man squad after suffering an injury while in club action over the weekend and has been replaced by Asante Kotoko defender Imoro Ibrahim.

Real Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Mohammed Baba, U20 Afcon Golden Ball winner Iddrisu Mohammed Baba and Gent midfielder Kamal Sowah have also not been named in the latest squad.

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Colchester United attacker Kwame Afriyie Poku, whose inclusion in the original squad has generated criticism of the Black Stars management due to his status as a fourth tier league player in England, on the other hand, has been maintained.

Ghana is currently top of the table in Group C ahead of the final two rounds of games.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates – South Africa), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Eric Ofori Antwi (Medeama SC – Ghana), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko – Ghana)

Full Backs: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK – Greece), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina – Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC – Ghana), Imoro Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko – Ghana)

Central Defenders: Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC – France), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Joseph Adjei (Legon Cities – Ghana), Yussif Mubarik (Asante Kotoko – Ghana)

Central Midfield: Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C – China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC – France), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United – England)

Left Attacking Midfield: Osman Bukari (Gent – Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)

Attackers: Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Professional – China), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia – Italy), Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), John Antwi (Pyramids FC – Egypt), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Willem II – Holland), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor – Turkey)

The Black Stars have been preparing for the final round of games of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualifiers this month.

Ghana will play South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on March 25 before hosting Sao Tome at the Accra Sports Stadium in the final group game.

The four-time Africa champions need just a point to book their Afcon ticket in Cameroon.

Ghana currently sit on top of Group C with nine points.

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CK Akonnor, who is the head coach of the side, has named a 28-man squad which is a blend of local players and foreign-based players for the game.

Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey, who were both excluded due to travel restrictions in the United Kingdom, are expected to join the team for the final round of games.

Justice Blay of Medeama SC and Asante Kotoko midfielder, Yusif Mubarik have all earned a late call for the games.

Meanwhile, Gideon Mensah, who plays for Portuguese side, Vitória de Guimarães, has been ruled out of the game due to injury with Asante Kotoko defender, Ibrahim Imoro, coming in as his replacement. 

Akonnor has been tasked to win the upcoming Afcon in Cameroon.

Ghana is currently preparing to face South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe on March 25 and 28, respectively.

The Vitoria Guimaraes left-back was named in CK Akonnor’s 29-man squad for the double-header but the former WAFA man was forced off after just 45 minutes in Guimaraes’ 4-2 defeat to Gil Vicente in the Portuguese Primera Liga last weekend and has been unable to recover in time for the game.

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Mensah was unused in their 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Premiera Liga over the weekend.

However, Asante Kotoko left-back, Imoro Ibrahim has been named as his replacement.

Ghana takes on South Africa on Thursday March 25 at 4pm before engaging Sao Tome three days later in Accra on Sunday 28th March, 2021.

The Black Stars sit on top of Group C with 9 points and need just a point to book their qualification.

The Black Stars will play their final round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations games on March 25 and 28 respectively.

Imoro, who has been sensational for the Porcupine Warriors, has replaced Gideon Mensah in the squad.

Mensah has picked up an injury and would not be available for the doubleheader.

Imoro was left out of CK Akonnor’s 29-man squad for the two games and was part of Ibrahim Tanko’s Black Stars ‘B’ squad for the Uzbekistan friendly but will now join up with the rest of the main Black Stars squad for the trip to South Africa.

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• Mensah, however, was named in the squad for the double-header but the former WAFA man lasted only 45 minutes in Guimaraes’ 4-2 defeat to Gil Vicente in the Portuguese Primera Liga last weekend and has been unable to recover in time for the game.

He was unused in their 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon on Sunday.

The Black Stars take on South Africa on Thursday, March 25 at the FNB Stadium before engaging Sao Tome three days later at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday 28th March 2021.

The Black Stars need just a point to book their qualification for the tournament that will be hosted in Cameroon next year.

The Swansea City ace was initially left off the Ghana squad due to travel restrictions in the UK.

Ayew arrived in Ghana early Monday morning.

He will join his Black Stars teammates for the game against the Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.

The match has been scheduled to kick off on Thursday, March 25.

Ghana finds itself in a tricky situation in Group C of the Afcon qualifiers. They sit tops but tie on points with next opponents South Africa who they will be facing with a weak squad next week.

A defeat in Johannesburg would put the Black Stars under immense pressure to defeat São Tomé in the final qualifier on March 28, hence the move by the Ghana FA to secure its big stars at least for the game.

However, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has also hinted midfielder, Thomas Partey could be available for the final game against Sao Tome at the Accra Sports Stadium.

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“The ones that are going to be in red zone countries, they won’t be able to play those fixtures, the rest we have to allow them to go if they are fit and we will stick to the protocols and all the guidance we have to try to allow our players to go when they are safe,”  Arteta said on Wednesday.

“Some might be able to play one game and not the next game so it’s a lot still to figure out. The doctor is in constant communication with the Premier League and the federations but it’s not too simple,” Arteta added.

The top two teams in Group C will qualify for the COVID-delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament which will be staged in Cameroon next year.

The decision was reached during a meeting between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs on Wednesday with respect to player safety against the coronavirus.

Majority of African countries have their top stars plying their trade in France and Wednesday’s memo comes as a disappointment ahead of the final qualifying fixtures for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

African nations will need to compete without their key players including Zimbabwe striker Tino Kadewere (Lyon), Nigeria winger Moses Simon (Nantes), Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe (Dijon), Senegal forward Boulaye Dia (Reims), DR Congo’s Gael Kakuta (Lens) and a host of others.

“At the initiative of the presidents of the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 colleges, a consultation was carried out on Wednesday, March 17 with all club presidents concerning players outside the France A team likely to participate in a match outside of France, the EU/EEA zone during the next international period in March,” the statement read.

“In the absence of a ‘septaine’ exemption for foreign international players made available to their national team and in view of the response times imposed by international regulations, the clubs of Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT have decided to unanimously this Wednesday, March 17, apply the Fifa circular of February 5, 2021, taking into account the many travel restrictions in the world.

“In this context, the clubs will not make available for selection the foreign players summoned for matches outside the EU/EEA zone during the next international period in March.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Nigeria replaced Nantes winger Moses Simon by Genk striker Paul Onuachu due to the restriction while injured Bordeaux forward Samuel Kalu was changed for Galatasaray’s Henry Onyekuru.