Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah has named a 23-man squad for the double-header in the 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign with South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
Seven of the 23 players invited are debutantes who
are expected to lighten the team and possibly
weave their way into the starting eleven of Coach
Appiah.
The seven newbies include one home-based player
– Shafiwu Mumuni of AshGold with the remaining
six players being foreign-based.
According to
Footballmadeinghana.com updates,, they takes a detailed look at
the new players invited.
Christopher Antwi-Adjei (SC Paderborn 07)
Many do not know him but for religious followers
of the German Bundesliga and the Bundesliga II,
Antwi Adjei needs no introduction. Born on 7th
February 1994 in Hagen, Germany, little
Christopher started his professional career with
Sprockovel in the 2016/17 season before moving
to SC Paderborn 07 where he has been since. He
is a great speedster and a wonderful dribbler. He’s
swift on the flanks, and quick on the ball.
He’s played all nine games for SC Paderborn 07
this season in the Bundesliga. He also has 2 DfB
Pokal games with a goal this season. He played a
key role in getting them promoted to the
Bundesliga with 31 games and 10 goals in the
Bundesliga 2 last season.
His favourite positions
are LW or LM. If Kwasi Appiah will use him well,
he will be beneficial to the Black Stars.
Shafiwu Mumuni (AshGold)
The AshGold striker, certainly the most in-form
striker on the local scene as of now, is one of
seven debutants who have been given their maiden invitation.
The striker has become one of the red hot
marksmen in West Africa due to his current form,
scoring 17 goals in three competitions – NC
Special Competition, CAF Confederation Cup and
WAFU Cup 2019. He scored 9 goals in the NC
Special Competition, including a hat trick against
Aduana Stars.
He also scored 4 goals in 4 games for AshGold in
the CAF Confederation Cup including a hat trick in
the space of 9 minute against Akonangui FC of
Equatorial Guinea.
He also became the first player to score a hat-trick
at the 2019 WAFU Tournament in Ghana’s 3-1
semi-final win over Ivory Coast.
Shafiwu’s qualities as a striker come with a little
versatility. He is comfortable leading the attack
like Didier Drogba and can also play as a second
striker behind the lead attacker like Claudio Pizaro.
One of his strongest attributes is his aerial ball
ability and has also got a powerful right-footed
drive.
Kudus Mohammed (Nordsjaelland FK)
Born on August 2, 2000 in Accra, Nima to be
precise, the left footed playmaker has grown into a
super star. Kudus who started his playing career
with a colts club in Nima was scouted by Right To
Dream Academy following the promising features
of stardom spotted in him. His sturdy rise to his
current form dates back from 2017 when he was a
member of the Ghana side that reached the semi-
finals of the U17 World Cup in India in 2017.
Kudus graduated into the Ghana U20 side that
failed to secure World Cup qualification at the
2019 edition in Niger. Despite Ghana’s poor
showing at the tournament, Kudus’ outstanding
performance was widely applauded. He is currently
one of the most influential players for
Nordsjaelland FK in the Danish Super Liga where
he has scored 4 goals in 10 games. He can be
likened to Real Madrid star Eden Hazard
considering his dazzling moves and powerful
drives.
He’s a perfect definition of a playmaker and has
the ability of determining the outcome of games.
One of his major attributes is his capability of
dictating the pace of games with his apt
intelligence. His dribbling skills makes him a
dangerous attacker as his eye for goals is
undoubtedly perfect.
Torric Jibril (TP Mazembe)
In terms of play, Torric Jibril is similar to Kudus
Mohammed as they possess the same qualities,
and wonderfully both are left footed players. Born
on 14th January 1991, the 28 year old Torric
started his football career at Tafo in Kumasi where
he was born. He was a member of the Al Azhariya
Islamic School football team that dazzled the
region with sexy football during his days. His
amazing display of football artistry forced a move
to Anokye Stars, a colts club in Suame where his
road to stardom started.
He was quickly lured by Accra Hearts of Oak
during a training tour in Kumasi where he was
spotted by the late Alhaji Hearts.
His brilliant display and swerves forced many to gallop to the
Accra Sports Stadium to watch Hearts’ games.
“Iused to rush to the stadium to watch Hearts of Oak matches because of Torric Jibril because Isaw the features of Mohammed Polo and AbediPele in him,”
Fiifi Banson, popular sports journalist
had this to say about Torric.
His sexy career was given a premature ejaculation
following his transfer from Hearts of Oak to Turkey
to join Bucaspor. Following his departure from
Turkey where he had stints with Bucaspor and
Trabzonspor, Torric joined Ismaily of Egypt where
he had an amazing outing with the side. At
Ismaily, he was the heart of the team under Coach
Hassan
He was transferred to Al Masry where his stay was
characterized by inconsistencies forcing him to
request for a loan move to Saudi Arabia side Al
Makawloon before his move to DR Congo side TP
Mazembe. Torric’s age may be 28 but his
brilliance and intelligence on and off the ball can’t
be in doubt.
Razak Abalora (Azam FC)
In 2017, Abalora was certainly the second best
goalkeeper in Ghana, some inches behind Richard
Ofori and at a point, some even felt Razak should
be rated ahead of Ofori. Born on 4th September
1998, Razak is arguably the best goalkeeper in the
Tanzanian league following his amazing outing.
He’s the number one choice for Azam FC and has
replicated his great reflexes at WAFA.
Razak started his career and was spotted by WAFA
where he started his journey to stardom. His days
with WAFA in Ghana are enough description of
Abalora. He has since grown in confidence and his
command between the sticks is admirable.
Abalora will surely not be walking straight into the
post considering the experience and confidence of
Ofori, but his inclusion in the team is long overdue.
Salisu Mohammed (Real Valadollid)
Salisu is one of the discoveries in Kwasi Appiah’s
list after he shot onto the scene with his
aggression and tactfulness in defence for Real
Valadollid in the Spanish La Liga.
Born on 17th
April 1999 in Sabon Zongo, a suburb of Kumasi,
the 191cm defender started schooling at Central
Mosque Islamic Basic School, where his football
career started.
He was scouted by African Talent Football
Academy, a Second Division side in the Eastern
Region from Kumasi. The club secured him a
straight contract from Valladolid in Spain where he
has virtually stolen the heart of all. He’s strong
with a wonderful height, making his aerial ability
apt. He’s a ball-playing defender and has
wonderful pass accuracy. He has eye for goals too
and look dangerous during set pieces. He has a
goal in 11 games for Real Valadollid in the La
Liga.
Baba Iddrisu (Real Mallorca)
Born in Accra on January 22, 1996, Baba moved to
Spain at an early age and joined CD Leganes’ youth
setup in January 2014, alongside Kasim Adam of
Fortuna Dusselfdorf and Thomas Partey of Atletico
Madrid. They all joined the youth side of Real
Mallorca a few months after joining Leganes.
Baba made his senior debut for the side on 29
August 2015, coming on as a second-half
substitute in a 7–1 Tercera División home routing
of Penya Ciutadella.
Baba scored his first senior goal on 8 May 2016,
netting the opener in a 2–1 home win against CF
Platges de Calvià. On 23 June, after gaining
promotion he was bought outright by the
Bermellones.
On 25 August 2017, Baba was
loaned to Barakaldo CF in Segunda División B, for
one year.
Upon returning, he was promoted to the main
squad in Segunda División and made his
professional debut on 19 August 2018 in a 1–0
home win against CA Osasuna. On 3 July 2019,
after contributing with 28 matches (play-offs
included) as his side gained promotion to La Liga,
Baba renewed his contract until 2022. His main
attributes are in his strength as a box-to-box
midfielder. He is a typical replica of Michael
Essien. He has powerful drives and is very
combative. His technical ability makes him
versatile for tactical switches.
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