Akonnor names starting XI for South Africa game, Fatawu and Ashimeru included
Ghana’s head coach, Charles Kobla Akonnor has named his team that will start for Ghana against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in today’s World Cup qualifier at the FNB Stadium.
With six of those who started last week’s match against Ethiopia absent, Akonnor had to make do with what he has and he has dug deep to name what is his best lineup for today’s encounter. Richard Ofori, Alexander Djiku, Mubarak Wakaso and Andre Ayew are the only faces who were involved in the last match from the start that has retained their places for today’s encounter.
The only starter from last week that is available but no in the starting XI is Baba Iddrisu whose place has been taken by Emmanuel Lomotey in a midfield that also includes Majeed Ashimeru.
In defence, Columbus Crew’s Jonathan Mensah has been drafted in to partner Alexander Djiku in the absence of Daniel Amartey who did not travel with the team. Joel Fameyeh takes up Jordan Ayew’s place up front and will be supported by Andre Ayew and Yaw Yeboah, operating from the left and right flanks respectively.
They will be anchored in midfield by Wakaso, Lomotey and Ashimeru as Coach Akonnor seeks to keep things tight at the middle to limit the opposition’s threats. Meanwhile, Gideon Mensah will play from the left flank of the back four in place of Baba Rahman while Hearts of Oak skipper Fatawu Mohammed gets the node to operate from the right in place of Andy Yiadom against the South Africans.
Ghana will hope to at least leave South Africa with a point if not the win in order to maintain their lead at the top of the table. It will however not be an easy encounter for the Black Stars who are missing several of their key men for today’s encounter.
Ghana Starting XI: Richard Ofori, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku, Jonathan Mensha, Fatawu Mohammed, Emmanuel Lomotey, Wakaso Mubarak, Majeed Ashimeru, Yaw Yeboah, Andre Ayew, Joel Fameyeh.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
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