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The Black Stars gaffer insists the Chelsea outcast deserves a place in his squad despite concerns raised by a section of Ghanaians ahead of the AAfcon qualifiers

Ghana coach C.K Akonnor has defended vehemently his decision to hand Chelsea outcast Baba Abdul Rahman a place in his 23-man squad ahead of the Black Stars double header against Sudan in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 26-year-old has been relegated to Chelsea’s youth team by Frank Lampard after he returned from his loan move in Spain and was not registered for the Blues’ Premier League and UEFA Champions League participation.

However, Akonnor insists he can add a bite to his defence ahead of all the players around since he has struggled to find a solution to Ghana’s woes in defence.

“Babà Rahman was once a regular player here. Due to injury, he was taken out. Now he is back, he is fit and he is playing well with his team [Chelsea U23],” Akonnor said during the unveiling.

“Unfortunately, he has not had the chance to play with the first team but he has had a couple of friendly matches in August, September and recently on October 24 which he played against Liverpool’s second team.

“And in these matches, he has played 90 minutes. Some were 90 minutes and and lot of 90 minutes with others 70 minutes.

“So we have taken a lot considerations, looking at the fact that we have a little bit of weakness within that area. I mean the full backs so I thought it is necessary to bring him to compete Gideon Mensah for that position,” he added.

Ghana, who are table toppers in Group C, will host Sudan on November 12 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium before they travel to Khartoum five days later for the return encounter.

South Africa will also lock horns with Sao Tome and Principe in the other group game.

Ghana new coach C.K Akonnor has welcomed defender John Boye,  Harrison Afful and midfielder Wakaso Mubarak back to the Black Stars roster but left out Spezia forward Emmanuel Gyasi ahead of the double header against Sudan  in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

However, Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora maintained his place in the squad together with Richard Ofori whi recently joined Orlando Pirates from Maritzburg United.

Interestingly, Baba Rahman who is yet to kick a ball for Chelsea this season made the squad ahead of several active players.

Akonnor,  who lost 3-0 to Mali but defeated Qatar 5-1 in friendly games during the last international break, will be playing his first competitive game as Black Stars coach since replacing former boss Kwesi Appiah in August.

Ghana are leaders in Group C with six points after defeating South Africa 3-0 and Sao Tome 1-0 in their first two games.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates FC), Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (Chelsea FC), Gideon Mensah (Vitoria de Guimaraes, Afful Harrison (Columbus Crew FC), Anang Benson (MSK Zilina), Djiku Alexander (Strasbourg FC), John Boye (FC Metz), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens FC), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo)

Midfielders: Partey Thomas (Arsenal FC), Baba Idrissu (RCD Mallorca), Mubarak Wakaso (Jiangsu Suning FC), Emmanuel Lomotey (Amiens FC)

Forwards/Wingers:

Andre Ayew (Swansea City FC), Tariq Fosu (Brentford), Samuel Owusu (Al-Ahli Jeddah) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace FC), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor), Jamie Leweling (Greuther Furth), John Antwi (Pyramids FC), Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace)