Latest media reports suggest that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has removed Colchester United youngster Kwame Adubofour Afriyie Poku from the Black Stars squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after his call-up was hugely criticized.
Poku, who plays for English League two side Colchester, was named in Charles Akonnor’s 29-man for the two matches against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe later this month.
The 19-year-old’s selection shocked Ghanaians, who heavily criticized the technical handlers of the Black Stars for snubbing some Ghana Premier League players for a player who plays in a lower division in England.
Sports World Ghana’s investigation revealed that Akonnor submitted his squad to the Ghana FA without the youngster but the association invited Poku so to tie him to Ghana.
Poku was born in England to Ghanaian parents.
The decision has backfired, with the GFA reportedly have been forced to remove Poku from the squad. Instead, Poku has been drafted into the Local Black Stars squad for the friendly against Uzbekistan next week.
Opoku has scored one and assisted three goals in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.
Ghana will play South Africa in Johannesburg on March 25, and host Sao Tome and Principe in Accra three days later. Akonnor’s side need a point to seal qualification to the tournament in Cameroon next year.
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), Gideon Mensah (Vitória de Guimarães – Portugal), Benson Annan (MLK Zilina – Slovakia), Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC – Ghana)
Central Defenders:
Nicholas Opoku (Amiens SC – France), Kasim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim – Germany), Ganiyu Ismael (Asante Kotoko – Ghana), Stephen Ambrosius (Hamburger SV – Germany)
Central Midfield:
Kudus Mohammed (Ajax Amsterdam – Holland), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning F.C – China), Afriyie Acquah (Yeni Malatyaspor – Turkey), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens SC – France), Iddrisu Baba (RCD Mallorca – Spain), Gladson Awako (Great Olympics -Ghana), Kwame Afriyie Poku (Colchester United – England)
Left Attacking Midfield:
Osman Bukari (Gent – Belgium), Joseph Esso (Dreams FC- Ghana)
Right Attacking Midfield:
Kamal Sowah (OH Leuven- Belgium), Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast 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)
