Jonathan Mensah, Richard Ofori, Kamaldeen return as CK Akonnor names squad for 2022 World Cup qualifiers

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has for the first-time invited Jonathan Mensah to the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will lock horns with Ethiopia and South Africa as qualifiers for the biggest soccer mundial kick-start next month.

The Black Stars will play host to Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Stadium on Friday, September 3 before they travel to South Africa for the second game on Monday, September 6, 2021.

Ahead of the qualifiers, Akonnor has named the Columbus Crew captain in his squad together with goalkeeper Richard Ofori who has also missed couple of games for Ghana due to injury.

The 2009 U-20 World Cup winner has not featured under Akonnor since his appointment and it will be the first-time playing under him.

He has had an impressive 2021/22 season in the Major League Soccer scoring twice for the club.

The squad also include inform winger Kamaldeen Sulemana who currently ply his trade for French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes.

Kamaldeen excluded himself from the squad that played in June against Ivory Coast and Morocco in friendlies.

He has capped two times since making his debut for Ghana and will hope to feature more for the country.

Ghana has been paired in Group G of the qualifiers with Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The winner of the group will qualify for the final two-legged playoff which will involve other group winners.