AFCON qualifier: Star-studded Ghana squad set to lock horns with Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars Abud Omar Khamis (L) and Andy Yiafdom of Ghana battle for ball possession during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 08/9/18 [PHOTO: Boniface Okendo,Standard]

The Ghana squad to tackle Kenya in the final African Cup of Nations group F qualifier has been revealed.

Gyan Asamoah is the most notable absentee, having also missed the first leg where Harambee Stars floored the Black Stars 1-0 at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani last year.

Newcastle star Christian Atsu headlines a team, arguably filled with foreign-based players including Inter Milan’s Kwadwo Asamoah, Fenerbahce’s Andre Ayew, Atletico Madrid midfield maestro Thomas Partey and Crystal Palace duo Jeffery Schlupp and Jordan Ayew.

Kenya tops Group F with seven points with three matches played, with Ghana breathing down her neck with six points. Ethiopia holds third spot with a single point.

The match is scheduled for March 23.

Here’s the squad given by Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah:

Goalkeepers:

Lawrence Ati (Sochaux)

Richard Ofori (Martizburg)

Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko)

Defenders:

Lumor Agbenyenu (Göztepe S.K)

Andy Yiadom (Reading)

Nicholas Opoku (Udinese)

Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan)

John Boye (Metz)

Amos Frimpong (Asante Kotoko)

Nuhu Kassim (1899 Hoffenheim)

Joseph Aidoo (Genk)

Midfielders:

Mubarak Wakaso (Alaves)

Ernest Asante (Al Jazira)

Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid)

Christian Atsu (Newcastle)

Kwame Bonsu (Asante Kotoko)

Alhassan Wakaso (Vitória S.C)

Jeffery Schlupp (Crystal Palace)

Andre Ayew (Fenerbahçe S.K)

Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo)

Forwards:

Caleb Ansah Ekuban (Trabzonspor)

Kwasi Appiah (AFC Wimbledon)

Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang)

Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)