Nineteen players formed the Ghana U-23s squad that departed Accra for international friendlies against the Olympic teams of Japan and South Korea on Tuesday.
The squad is dominated by 12 local players with 7 others joining from clubs abroad.
The foreign-based contingent includes Frank Assinki (HB Koge), Frank Amoabeng (Cerignola), Abdulai Sabit (Getafe CF), Kwame Adubofuor Poku (Colchester United), Osman Bukari (Genk), Samuel Obeng Gyabaa (Real Oviedo) and Joselpho Barnes (Shalkeh 04).
The Black Meteors are billed to play Japan’s Olympic team in a tuneup game at Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka on Saturday, June 5. Kickoff is at 10:25 GMT,
The team will then connect to Jeju on a two-hour flight from Tokyo to face off with South Korea in back-to-back friendly encounters scheduled for 7 pm local time (10:00 GMT) on June 12 and again at 8 pm local (11:00 GMT) on June 15. Both matches will be played at Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo, Jeju Island.
Both Asian countries are using the games against Ghana to test their readiness for the Olympic Games football tournament scheduled for this summer.
For Ghana, it is an opportunity for new coach Paa Kwasi Fabin to begin rebuilding his team having failed to qualify for the Olympics.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers (2): Richmond Ayi (Hearts of Oak), William Esso (Vision FC)
Defenders (6): Samuel Ashie Quaye (Great Olympics), Frank Assinki (HB Koge), Frank Amoabeng (Cerignola), Ibrahim Moro (Asante Kotoko), Uzair Alhassan (Tamale Utrecht), Abdulai Sabit (Getafe CF)
Midfielders (5): Emmanuel Essiam (Berekum Chelsea), Frimpong Boateng (King Faisal), Patrick Mensah (Heart of Lions), Kwame Adubofuor Poku (Colchester United), Osman Bukari (Genk)
Forwards (6): Jonah Attuquaye (Legon Cities), Percious Boah (Dreams FC), Samuel Obeng Gyabaa (Real Oviedo), Joselpho Barnes (Shalkeh 04), Diawisie Taylor (Karela United FC), Samuel Boakye (Eleven Wonders)
Friendlies schedule:
Japan vs Ghana – Best Denki Stadium, Fukuoka – June 5 – 10:25 GMT (subject to change)
South Korea vs Ghana – Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo – June 12 – 10:00 GMT
South Korea vs Ghana – Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo – June 15 – 11:00 GMT
