Three players invited for the Black Stars friendlies during the October international break have pulled out of coach CK Akonnor’s squad due to visa and work permit issues.
Ghana – who are scheduled to play Mali and Qatar on the 9th and 12th respectively – will be without deputy captain and goalkeeper Richard Ofori, left-back Lumor Agbenyenu and striker John Antwi who was to make a return to the senior national team.
According to the GFA, Ofori – the Maritzburg United shot-stopper – will miss the games because his work permit in South Africa has expired and the renewal process would take two weeks.
Sporting Lisbon left-back Agbenyenu could not apply for a visa due to work permit complications.
The case is same for Pyramids FC of Egypt hitman John Antwi. The expiry of his work permit makes it difficult to secure a travel visa from Cairo to Antalya, Turkey.
Team Ghana arriving in Turkey
Meanwhile, the Black Stars contingent has begun arriving in Turkey ahead of the double friendlies. Two players – Samuel Owusu and Razak Abalora, the technical team and some management officials who departed Accra Saturday touched down Antalya early Sunday.
Leader of the delegation is Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, George Amoakoh who is joined by Jones Alhassan Abu (Black Stars Management Committee member) and Deputy GFA General Secretary, Alex Asante who doubles as Director of the National Teams Department
Others include CK Akonnor (Head Coach), David Duncan (Assistant Coach), Najau Issah (Goalkeepers’ coach), Henry Martey (Welfare Officer), Renee Opare-Otoo (Nutritionist), Dr. Chris Adomako (Team Doctor), S.K Ankomah and George Nii Anum Amassah (Masseurs), Daniel Yankey and Sulley Zampah (Equipment Officers), Jonathan Quartey (Physiotherapist), Henry Asante Twum (Director of Communications) and Michael Okyere (Video Analyst).
