The Ghana National Team Head Coach Charles Kwabena Akonnor announced his 23 man squad for next month’s friendly clash with Mali.

There were some surprise inclusions with 6 new players comprising Eugene Ansah, Alexander Djiku, Yakubu Mohammed, Benson Anang, Emmanuel Lomotey, and Kamal Deen Sulemana.

There were some notable absentees as well with the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Wakaso Mubarak, Kwadwo Asamoah and other big names missing out.

Another name absent from the list and has raised eyebrows is Mohammed Salisu.

Now with Southampton FC, the player is yet to make his debut with his new club following his high profiled move from Spanish side Real Valladolid.

Shortly after announcing his squad, the Black Stars Head Coach Charles Akonnor explained why Salisu did not make the list.

“He is not in the team because I heard his coach spoke about him in terms of fitness level. They are looking at October after the national games, before he will be back,” Akonnor told Ghana FA TV.

“Based on that, I want to give him a chance to rest and get fit and start a game in Southampton and then we will look forward to get him on board, he concluded.

Salisu has been chased by Ghana on a couple of occassions with all such attempt proving futile. These frustrations were shared by Akonnor in a recent past interview where he divulged a failed meeting with the player et al.

This prompted his family to issue a statement to clear the air about emerging speculations that he was disinterested in playing for Ghana. Following this, it was expected that the player would be amongst any list released by the Coach subequently.