Ghana coach, Kwasi Appiah, has named a 24-man squad for the ultimate Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya, scheduled for Accra Sports Stadium.
Coach Appiah has handed call ups to some debutants as he seeks to asses some new talents with Ghana already qualified for the tournament billed for Egypt mid year.
The squad which includes three players from Asante Kotoko, begins camping on March 18, ahead of the qualifier on Saturday, March 23.
Coach Kwasi Appiah also handed returns to popular striker Kwesi Appiah after a three-absence from the national team after leading the side to greatness at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations where the Black Stars reached the final and the Wimbledon attacker finished top scorer.
Also return after a long absence is midfielder Alhassan Wakaso who has so far emerged as the best tackling midfielder in the Portuguese top-flight league.
The brother of another midfield guru Mubarak Wakaso has earned rave reviews in Portugal so far this season with his tackling ability rated as 92% while his passing accuracy is 90%.
Crystal Palace Player of the Month Jeffery Schlupp returns to the side after a long absence having regained his form and boosted his side’s survival chances in the English Premier League together with his team-mates Jordan Ayew.
Meanwhile, the Accra Sports Stadium will witness a double header on March 23, as the Black Meteors are also scheduled to host Gabon at the same venue.
The Black Meteors’ match will precede the Black Stars’. The Olympic team will play at 3pm before the Black Stars take the stage at 6pm.
Ghana full Squad to face Kenya:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa) Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
Defenders:
Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Lumor Agbenyenu ( Göztepe S.K, Turkey) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Amos Frimpong (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Nuhu Kassim (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy) John Boye (Metz,France) Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium)
Midfielders:
Andre Ayew ( Fenerbahçe S.K, Turkey) Mubarak Wakaso (Alaves, Spain) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Kwame Bonsu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Ernest Asante ( Al Jazira, UAE) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Alhassan Wakaso ( Vitória S.C, Portugal) Jeffery Schlupp ( Crystal Palace, England), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy)
Strikers:
Caleb Ansah Ekuban(Trabzonspor, Turkey) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China) Kwasi Appiah (AFC Wimbledon, UK).
