By Ebube Dike

Ghana’s contingent has arrived in Johannesburg for Monday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 second Group G qualifier against South Africa.

The team was led by Management Committee Chairman George Amoako.

A total of twenty-five players made the trip to South Africa for encounter with UK based Stars absence as the United Kingdom’s Covid-19 restricts take its toll on Africa football.

England based stars, Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Andrew Yiadom (Reading FC) and Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC) were not part of the travelling team due to the decision of Premier League clubs not to allow their players travel to COVID-19 red listed countries.

Others who missed the trip were Rennes forward Kamal Deen Suleymana and Daniel Kyereh of German side St. Pauli. The two were recalled by their clubs after their debut with the Senior National team on Friday, September 3, 2021.

Ghana recorded a slim win (1-0) against Ethiopia on Friday in their Group G opener at the Cape Coast stadium to move top of Group G after Zimbabwe held South Africa to a 0-0 draw in Harare.

The Black Stars last visit to Johannesburg in March this year, produced a draw against South Africa – a result that sealed Ghana’s qualification to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Coach Charles Akonnor’s side would aim for the three points to keep their World Cup dreams unscathed.

The team will train at the FNB stadium at 18:00Hrs on Sunday ahead of the game on Monday, September 06, 2021.

Several other top Africa football nations including Nigeria are affected by the same protocols that would see their players plying their trade in Wales, Scotland or England not allowed to travel to countries designated as “red alert” with Covid-19 cases by the government.

Below is the full squad in Camp:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori, Richard Atta, Manaf Nurudeen, Lawrence Ati-Zigi

Defenders: Philemon Baffuor, Gideon Mensah, Ismail Ganiyu, Alexander Djiku, Jonathan Mensah, Samuel Ashie Quaye, Joseph Aidoo, Fatawu Mohammed

Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso, Baba Iddrisu, Emmanuel Lomotey, Majeed Ashimeru, Fatawu Issahaku, Samuel Owusu, Yaw Yeboah
Forwards: Andre Ayew, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Joel Fameyeh, Braydon Manu, Kwame Opoku, Emmanuel Gyasi.