Posted by Black Meteors (U-23) boss, Ibrahim Tanko has augmented his side for the U-23 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with some few Ghanaian players plying their trade in Europe.
A fortnight ago, Ibrabim Tanko summoned a squad of 22 local-based players to report to camp at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram to commence preparations for the U-23 AFCON which will serve as qualifiers for the next Olympics in Paris, France.
Ibrahim Tanko has now augmented the team with the inclusion of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh of FC Zurich, FC Basel’s Emmanuel Essiam, Ibrabim Zubairu of Serbian-based side FK Jedinstvo Ub, Maxwell Woledzi of Vitória de Guimarães, Godwin Bentil of Chamois Niortais FC and Sheffield United goalkeeper, Jordan Amissah.
Daniel Afriyie, Ibrahim Zubairu and Emmanuel Essiam are no new faces to the team. The trio were part of the squad that qualified Ghana to the U-23 AFCON.
For Godwin Bentil, Maxwell Woledzi and Jordan Amissah, they join the team for the first time. Godwin Bentil, a center forward plies his trade with Chamois Niortais FC in the French Ligue Two, while Maxwell Woledzi, a center-back plays for Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal.
Jordan Amissah on the other hand plays for recently promoted Premier League side Sheffield United but spent last season on loan at Burton Albion. The 21-year old goalkeeper was born in Germany to Ghanaian parents.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Emmanuel Essiam, Ibrabim Zubairu, Maxwell Woledzi, Godwin Bentil and Jordan Amissah have joined the local players in camp in Prampram.
Coach Ibrahim Tanko is expected to draft the likes of Alex Sarfo Opoku, Ernest Nuamah, Emmanuel Yeboah and Kamaldeen Sulemana into the team.
Ghana heads into the U-23 AFCON eyeing a ticket at the 2024 Olympics to be played in Paris. The team missed out on the 2020 Olympics in Japan after finishing 4th at the U-23 AFCON in Egypt – 2019.
The Black Meteors are paired with host Morocco, Guinea and Congo in Group A of the competition to be played in Morocco from Saturday, June 24 to Saturday, July 8, 2022.