Coaches of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, have invited 33 players to camp to begin preparations for next month’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and the Central African Republic.

Columbus Crew captain Jonathan Mensah and compatriot Yaw Yeboah have earned a call up to join their Ghanaian teammates to begin the campaign for the 2023 AFCON. As the Columbus Crew duo begin the quest to help Ghana qualify for yet another Cup of Nations, they will also be using this opportunity to jostle for a place in the final squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled for Qatar.

Captain of the Black Stars, Andre Ayew, and Benjamin return to the team after missing out of the 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria due to suspension. Also returning to the team is midfielder Mubarak Wakaso who has been out of competitive action due to an injury.

Bristol City forward Antoine Semenyo who missed out on his first call up for the World Cup playoff against Nigeria due to injury will be making his debut for the West African side.

Augustine Okrah of Bechem United and Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie are the only local-based players in the squad.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Jojo Wollacott (Swindon Town), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), and Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Bordeaux), Abdul Baba Rahman (Reading), Abdul Mumin (Vitoria Guimaraes), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo) and Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew).

Midfielders: Iddrisu Baba (Mallorca), Edmund Addo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Elisha Owusu (KAA Gent), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel Kofi Kyereh (St. Pauli), and Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen)

Wingers: Joseph Paintsil (Genk), Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Augustine Okrah (Bechem United), Osman Bukari (Nantes), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting CP), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennes), Yaw Yeboah (Columbus Crew) and Christopher Antwi-Adjei (Bochum).

Strikers: Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Felix Afena Gyan (AS Roma), Kwesi Okyere Wriedt (Holstien Kiel), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Benjamin Tetteh (Yeni Malatyaspor) and Braydon Manu (SV Darmstadt).