Ghana coach, Charles Kwabla Akonnor will begin his duties officially on the touchline on October 9 when the Black Stars engage West African neighbours Mali in a friendly in Turkey as part of the team’s preparations ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sudan.
This will be Akonnor’s first game as coach of the national team since his appointment nine months ago.
The coronavirus pandemic delayed Akonnor’s first game against Sudan in March this year which could have been a doubleheader for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Akonnor who was an assistant to former coach James Kwasi Appiah, played a role in Ghana’s AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome last November and will be at the helm of affairs this time around with support from David Duncan in search of his first win.
The former Black Stars captain is expected to name his squad for the international friendlies in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has confirmed the two international friendlies coming up next month.
“Ghana will take on Mali and Equatorial Guinea in two separate friendly games in Antalya, Turkey.
“The Black Stars will play Mali on Friday, October 9, before taking on Equatorial Guinea on Monday, October 12, 2020. Both games will be played behind closed doors and under strict COVID-19 protocols.
“The two games will help Coach C.K Akonnor to prepare his side for November’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan.
“Ghana top Group F with 6 points following victories against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019”, the statement from the FA read.
Ghana's friendly game against Equatorial Guinea has been cancelled, as the Central African side have pulled out of the game.