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After a long absence, the 25-year-old is back in the Black Stars setup and among the 23 players invited for next month’s international outing.
Ghana coach Charles Akonnor has called up Besiktas midfielder Bernard Mensah for his first outing against Mali in an international friendly match in Turkey.
The Black Stars, who have yet to play a game since November, will face their West African neighbors in Antalya on October 9; the meeting would be Akonnor’s first game as Ghana’s coach since his appointment in February.
Ghana was also scheduled to face Equatorial Guinea three days later, but the Central African country chose not to participate Thursday night due to a travel ban imposed by its government to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mensah has been rewarded with an invitation to the Black Stars for the first time in five years after his impressive performances for Besiktas in the Super Lig this season.
The former Atlético de Madrid midfielder moved to Istanbul from rival Kayserispor this summer and has already scored a goal after two games in the Turkish top flight.
Alexander Djiku from Strasbourg, Yakubu Mohammed from Azam FC, Benson Anang from MSK Zilina, Emmanuel Lomotey from Amiens and 18-year-old Kamal Deen, who lives in Nordsjaelland, are the five new guests on the team.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has started plans to organize another friendly match for the Black Stars after Mali’s departure in order to prepare Akonnor’s team for the November Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sudan.
They sit at the top of Group C, ahead of South Africa, with six points after two games.
Complete list
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg), Richard Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Razak Abalora (Without Club)
Defenders: Benson Anang (Zilina FC), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Club), Yakubu Mohammed (Azam FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes). Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta de Vigo), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens), Kassim Nuhu (Hoffenheim).
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atlético de Madrid), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens), Bernard Mensah (Besiktas), Baba Iddrisu (RCD Mallorca).
Attackers / Wingers: Andre Ayew (Swansea), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Eugene Ansah (Hapoel Shmona), Jefferey Schlupp (Crystal Palace), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha FC), Kamal Deen (Nordsjaelland SC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax SC).
