Ghana head coach Charles Akonnor has penciled down Hearts of Oak pair of goalkeeper Richard Atta and striker Joseph Esso for his maiden Black Stars call up.

In-form goalkeeper Atta has displaced Tanzania-based Razak Abalora and will now compete directly with Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan for the No.2 slot with automatic starting role falling to Richard Ofori.

Akonnor has been looking round on how to solidify the Black Stars goalkeeping department with a confident back for Ofori who has been Ghana’s first choice goalkeeper since taking over the reigns in 2016.

The goalkeeper, who was once on the books of Okyeman Planners, has received a lot of plaudits from local football fans with most resorting to social media to clamour for his call up and Akonnor seems to have heeded the call.

Striker Joseph Esso’s place in the squad is also confirmed, according to local media reports with Nimdi3 FM revealing the 23-year-old will made the grades in Akonnor’s 24-man squad.

Esso has been in sensational form and starred for Ghana’s Black Stars B in the 2019 WAFU competition in October.

The striker’s brimming energy levels and his lust for power play has won many hearts in the Ghanaian domestic scene as well as impressing Akonnor who has keenly followed him in the local league.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew, Strasbourg’s Abdul Majeed Waris as well as Kudus Mohammed are expected to be called up and this means Esso must fight for a place in the squad with these players.