Afcon 2021 qualifying: Ghana call up Real Valladolid prodigy Salisu as ‘big boys’ fall out

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has named seven debutants in his squad for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Their first assignment since their unceremonious Round of 16 elimination at Afcon 2019, the Black Stars roster includes 20-year-old Real Valladolid centre-back Mohammed Salisu, who has emerged among the revelations in La Liga so far this season.

Real Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Mohammed Baba has also been handed a first call-up, as have German-born winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Nordsjaelland midfielder Mohammed Kudus.

Former Hearts of Oak playmaker Torric Gibril, now of Congolese side TP Mazembe, Ashanti Gold striker Mumuni Shafiu, who netted four times at the recent Wafu Cup of Nations in Senegal, and Tanzania-based goalkeeper Razak Abalora complete the new faces.

Appiah has also handed recalls to Columbus Crew right-back Harrison Afful, Udinese centre-back Nicholas Opoku, Sassuolo midfielder Alfred Duncan and China-based Emmanuel Boateng, who all missed out on Afcon 2019 selection.

Inter Milan defender Kwadwo Asamoah, defenders Jonathan Mensah and John Boye as well as midfielder Afriyie Acquah have not been called up, while Real Mallorca defender Baba Rahman, Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu and Trabzonspor striker Caleb Ekuban have been left out due to injury.

Their first match of Afcon 2021 series, Ghana host South Africa in Cape Coast on November 14, four days before facing Sao Tome away.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Razak Abalora (Azam FC, Tanzania)

Defenders: Andy Yiadom (Reading, England), Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Lumor Agbenyenu (Real Mallorca, Spain), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kasim Nuhu Adams (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy), Mohammed Salisu (Real Valladolid, Spain)

Midfielders: Samuel Owusu (Al Fahya, Saudi Arabia), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy), Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Iddrisu Baba (Real Mallorca, Spain), Christopher Antwi-Adjei (SC Paderborn, Germany)

Forwards: Andre Ayew (Swansea, England), Mohammed Kudus (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Torric Jibril (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Shafiu Mumuni (Ashantigold)