The Black Stars of Ghana will today hold its maiden training session at the Emir Sports complex in Antalya ahead of the international friendly against Mali.
Ghana take on Mali on Friday, October 9 and ten players of the senior national team arrived at the teams camp in Antalya, Turkey on Monday ahead of the game.
Eight of these players arrived at the Xanthe Resort & Spa on Monday to team up with Samuel Owusu and Razak Abalora who travelled with the local contingent on Saturday. They include Baba Idrisu, Benson Annang, Kamaldeen Suleyman and Nicholas Opoku.
The rest are Gideon Mensah, Eugene Ansah, Emmanuel Lomotey and Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Black Stars C.K Akonnor has handed late call ups to Turkey-based duo, Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor) and Joseph Paintsil (Ankaragucu) after some of his players are set to miss the friendlies.
The likes of Richard Ofori, John Antwi, Kudus Mohammed and Lumor Agbebyenu will not be part of this month’s friendlies.
Ekuban has been drafted in to replace John Antwi, while, Paintsil replaces Lumor Agbenyenu.
Meanwhile top Turkish FIFA referee Halil Umut Meler has been appointed to officiate Ghana-Mali International friendly.
The 34-year-old is one of the top referees in Europe. Halil has been officiating International games since January 2017 and is rated as one of the best referees in his homeland.
Umut, handles games in the Turkish Super lig, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Champions League. He will be assisted on the lines by Cevdet Komurcuoglu and Emre Eyisoy. The Fourth official is Melis Ozcgdem
