Niger's Kofi Dankwa E tries to block South africa's Bernard Parker (R) during the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger in Nelspruit at the Mbombela Stadium on September 4, 2010. South Africa won 2-0. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

Ghana-born striker Kofi Dankwa has been named in Niger squad to face his country of birth at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Tunisian side Zarzis, was named in a 26-man provisional squad for the tournament in South Africa.

If he makes the Menas final squad for Africa’s flagship football competition, Dankwa will come up against Ghana – the country of his parents.

Niger will bank on continuity for better results at next year’s AFCON after the core of the team from the 2012 edition made a 26-man squad.

The provisional squad will be led by Tunisia-based skipper Ouwo Moussa Maazou, who also featured in the country’s Nations Cup debut in January in Gabon, where they lost all three group games.

South Africa-based goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly, who has been in superb form for Chippa United, Sweden-based Williams Tonji, Mohammed Chikoto, Kofi Dankwa as well as Amadou Moutari aka Kalala are among the 16 overseas-based pros called up for a training camp in Niamey.

Issiakou Koudize and Boubacar Issoufou are among the 10 players drawn from the domestic league.

The training camp opens on December 27 and the Mena will then travel to take on fellow Nations Cup finalists Ethiopia in a warm-up game in Addis Ababa on December 30.

They are also scheduled to play test games against Burkina Faso and most likely South African PSL side Platinum Stars.

The team now under experienced Frenchman and ex-Gabon coach Gernot Rohr are drawn in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and DR Congo and play their opening game against fellow West Africans Mali on January 20 in Port Elizabeth.