AFCON Qualifier: Akonnor names strong line-up to face South Africa

Ghana coach C.K Akonnor has named a blend of youth and experienced players in the penultimate AFCON qualifying game between the Black Stars and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.


With the absence of key players due to coronavirus restrictions, C.K Akonnor has handed debuts to Kwame Poku and Ismail Ganiyu, while Mubarak Wakaso, Kudus Mohammed and Baba Rahman also start.

The Black Stars are hoping this line-up will deliver all three points as Ghana seeks to book an early qualification to the 2022 AFCON with a game to spare.


As it stands, Ghana, South Africa and Sudan all have nine points, although the latter has played a game more.

See the Black Stars’ starting XI against South Africa below:

16. Razak Abalora

2. Benson Annan

17. Baba Abdul Rahman

4. Nicholas Opoku

28. Ismail Ganiyu

6. Afriyie Acquah

16. Kwame Opoku

11. Mubarak Wakaso

13. Caleb Ekuban

20. Mohammed Kudus

25. Emmanuel Gyasi

Ghana starting XI v South Africa:

16. Razak Abalora
2. Benson Annan
17. Baba Abdul Rahman
4. Nicholas Opoku
28. Ismail Ganiyu
6. Afriyie Acquah
16. Kwame Opoku
11. Mubarak Wakaso
13. Caleb Ekuban
20. Mohammed Kudus
25. Emmanuel Gyasi#BlackStars #BringBackTheLove

— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) March 25, 2021