National Under-17 manager, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie after weeks of a nationwide scouting exercise gets down to work with the selected players drawn from the Northern and Southern sectors of the country.
Ghana’s team would begin the final phase of preparations for the African Championship qualifiers today when the team gathers at the national camp, the Ghanaman Soccer Centre for Excellence in Prampram.
The nationwide scouting exercise produced a tall list of a preliminary squad of 55 players. The squad would be pruned ahead of the first leg qualifier against Libya in August.
Coach Afranie remains happy with his talent search and says he is determined to build a strong team which would be capable of achieving their goals.
“I had a lot of talented players but I have to shortlist and pick the best among them and we got to the second stage which involved those who were selected at the zonal level,” he told www.ghanafa.org.
“In all I have picked 55 young talents who hold the future of Ghana football.”
Afranie, a veteran manager with the junior youth sides, revealed that the scouting exercise which took him to various playing parks in the countryside gave him more than enough knowledge about the players he would be working with.
“It has been a very nice and useful exercise because for the first time, I made it possible for every selected player to play a full match to express himself and as far as I am concerned that was more than a serious test for any of them,” he said.
But he was quick to admit that he had limited time on his hands to get the best out of the players before the qualifiers start.
“There is no time on our side because we are playing the first qualifier in August and even though it is going to be difficult, I think with a lot of experience and support from everybody including God Almighty everything would be okay.”
Players invited are :
Northern Sector:
Samuel Otoo (Royals FC), Moro Ibrahim, Ishmael Gamel, Yuotah Zeguun (Kessben FC), Kojo Poku, Faisal Mohammed (Ebony), Elvis Opoku (Kaaseman), Evans Ofosu Antwi (Cheeter FC), Emmanuel Osei (Wa All Stars), Frank Osei, Osei Kofi(Cornerstones), Ernest Ofori Addo (BA United).
Dua Martin(KFC),Abdul-Salam Alhassan (RTU), Tuffuor Frimpong (Royals), Bortey Fidel, Samed Ibrahim, Delali Amevegah (New Edubiase),Otuo Acheampong, Tahiru Malik (Deportive), Joseph Acheampong, Frank Quansah (Anokye Stars) Fatawu Mohammed (Platini FC), Afriyie Acquah (Glantorian Academy) and Mohammed Abass (Mine Stars).
Southern Sector:
James Nkansah (Crystal Palace),Isaac Ehun, Abeiku Ainooson (Ankara FC), Stephen Aidoo, Yakubu Alhassan (24/7 United), Alex Aduboa (International Allies), Amoah Aaron, Rahim Osumanu (Flying Jets), Rafiq Ibrahim, Isaah Mumuni (Maamobi Midtylland FC), Insor Kwame (Tema FC), Emmanuel Odoi (Okwahu United), Kinsley Kwarkye, Felix Adjei, Kwame Asimeng Frimpong, Ibrahim Mohammed (Red Bull Academy)
Fenteng Joseph (Oxy FC), Samuel Opoku (Gt Palmers), Mubarak Moro (High Kings), Dennis Ofori (Proud United), Asamoah Godfred (Planet Academy), Eric Esso (Soccer Miniare), Ahmed Mbrou, Philip Adu, Ohene George (Maxbees),Obosu George (Apam Liberty),Issah Musah (Ajax), Prince Adu Pako (Amanfrom Young Hearts), Paul Manu (Lions) and Bismark Adu-Twum (Rovers)