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Kwame Afriyie Poku: Ghana name player from English fourth-tier for CRUCIAL qualifiers

Kwame Afriyie Aduofour Poku is set to become the lowest lower-league international for Ghana after a shock announcement of his inclusion in the Black Stars squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The attacking midfielder features for Colchester United who play in Football League Two – the fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system.

Poku, 19,  so far has 31 league appearances for Colchester who lie 21st in the 24-team league standings this season.

Of the 29-player list released by head coach CK Akonnor Thursday, Poku is the lowest division player to be selected to represent Ghana in the crucial qualifiers – against South Africa away on March 25 and Sao Tome in Accra three days later.

Other new foreign-based faces in the Ghana squad include Stephan Kofi Ambrosius of Hamburger SV in Germany, Kamal Sowah of OH Leuven and Osman Bukari of Gent – both in Belgium as well as Emmanuel Gyasi of Spezia FC in Italy.

Ghana, though sit top of Group C, tie on same points – 9 – with next opponents South Africa after four qualifying matches.

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), Stephan Kofi 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)

 

 

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