2020 Summer Olympics: Tanko calls up 24 home-based players ahead of Gabon showdown

Black Meteors coach Ibrahim Tanko has called up 24 local based players for camping ahead of the final phase of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Gabon in March.

Tanko handed Hearts of Oak’s glovesman Richmond Ayi and Asante Kotoko shot stopper Ibrahim Danlad call ups along with Kwame Baah of Inter Allies fame for the goalkeeping department.

The 24-man squad will commence camping at the M-Plaza hotel in Accra on February 27 and hold their first training at the El Wak Stadium on Thursday.

Michael Osei, assistant coach to Ibrahim Tanko will oversee the team’s initial trainings in the absence of Tanko who is currently in Europe for a Black Stars duty.

The Black Meteors, Ghana’s Olympic team will host Gabon in Accra on March 22 in the final phase of the U-23 AFCON qualifier, after edging out Togo in the initial stage with a 5-2 aggregate triumph to pave way for the Gabon showdown.

For the records, the last three teams from the U-23 AFCON to be hosted in Egypt between 8 and 22 November will qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympic men’s football tournament in Tokyo.

Below is the full list of the 24 players invited:

1. Richmond Ayi (GK) – Hearts of Oak
2. Ibrahim Danlad (GK) – Asante Kotoko
3. Kwame Baah (GK) – Inter Allies
4. William Dankyi – Hearts of Oak
5. Maxwell Arthur – Dreams FC
6. Eric Owusu – Bechem United
7. Ibrahim Moro – Karela United FC
8. Montari Kamahene – Dreams FC
9. Prosper Ahiabu – Inter Allies
10. Yakubu Issah – Dreams FC
11. Zakaria Fuseini – Berekum Chelsea
12. Alhassan Ouattara – Medeama SC
13. Braimah Mohammed – Berekum Chelsea
14. Emmanuel Cudjoe – Attram Visser FC
15. Tahiru Awudu – Medeama SC
16. Simon Zibo – Liberty Professionals
17. Elvis Kyei Baffour – Liberty Professionals
18. Emmanuel Kumah – Tudu Mighty Jets
19. Solomon Gyasi – Ebusua Dwarfs
20. Philip Awudu Gemeli – Okyeman Planners
21. Caleb Amankwaah – Aduana Stars
22. Daniel Lomotey – WAFA
23. Emmanuel Sarpong – Star Madrid
24. Nasiru Ahiabu – WAFA