Sensational Accra Hearts of Oak’s striker, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, is among four local players who found their way into Coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor’s 30-man provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September.

Barnieh, who was influential in the Phobians double triumph in the Premier League and the FA Cup was invited alongside, teammate Richard Attah, Dreams FC’s fullback, Baffour Philemon and Isahaku Fatawu of Steadfast FC.

Coach Akonnor said the decision to include the young Barnieh into the team was his versatility as a player who could play on the wings aside his attacking role.

He further explained that the reason why local players who were part of the last team could not find their way into this current squad was not because they were not good but because these were the players he wants to work with.

“Those who are not here it’s not because they are not good but at this point in time these are the players I want to go with.

He also said players such as Ibrahim Salifu and Benjamin Afutu of Hearts of Oak who have distinguished themselves in the local league were fantastic but did not give them the opportunity because he wanted to work with a limited number of players.

On the issue of whether it was over the goalkeeper Razak Abalora who didn’t make the cut, Coach Akonnor explained that he was part of his plans but needed to give him a break to reassess himself and come back much stronger.

“Also, Abalora is part of the team, he is not out. Sometimes you need that break and wake up and know that there is a big deal going on in Ghana. He is going to be part of us, he is not out”, the coach said.

GOALKEEPERS:

Richard Ofori - Orlando Pirates FC - South Africa
Lawrence Ati Zigi - St. Galen FC - Switzerland
Manaf Nurudeen - Kas Eupen - Belgium
Richard Atta– Hearts of Oak - Ghana

FULL BACKS

Benson Anang - Zilina FC - Slovakia
Yiadom Andrew - Reading FC - England
Baba Abdul Rahman - Chelsea FC - UK
Gideon Mensah - FC Girondins Bordeaux - France
Baffour Philimon - Dreams FC - Ghana

CENTER BACKS

Alexander Djiku - RC Strasbourg - France
Daniel Amartey - Leicester City FC- England
Ismael Ganiyu - Asante Kotoko - Ghana
Jonathan Mensah - Columbus Crew - USA

MIDFIELDERS

Mubarak Wakaso - Shenzhen - China
Iddrisu Baba - RCD Mallorca - Spain
Thomas Partey - Arsenals FC - England
Emmanuel Lomotey - Amiens FC - France

WINGERS

Joel Fameye - Orenburg FC - Russia
Samuel Owusu - Al Fayhad – Saudi Arabia
Gyasi Emmanuel - Spezia – Italy
Kamal Deen Sulemana - Rennes FC - France
Tariq Fosu - Henry - Brentford FC - England
Isahaku Fatawu – Steadfast FC - Ghana

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:

Afriyie Banieh - Hearts of Oak - Ghana
Kudus Mohamed - Ajax FC - Holland
Majeed Ashimeru - RSC Anderlecht- Belgium

STRIKERS

Andre Ayew - Al Saad - Qatar
Jordan Ayew - Crystal Palace - England
Kwame Opoku - USM Algiers – Algeria
Kelvin Yeboah – Sturm Graz – Austria