Ghana Unveils Final 23-Man Squad for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
After their first preparatory match against Olhanense on Wednesday, Ghana’s coach Avram Grant officially revealed the 23 players who will represent the Black Stars in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The squad was trimmed down from an initial 26 players following a series of discussions and assessments during the training camp in Seville.
Injuries have forced the exclusion of key players, with striker Majeed Waris notably ruled out of the tournament. The decision comes as a significant blow to Ghana’s attacking options. Samuel Inkoom, Ibrahim Moro, and Kwabena Adusei have also failed to make the cut, while Cambridge United striker Kwesi Appiah, whose inclusion had been widely criticized by the Ghanaian press, has earned a spot in the final squad.
Despite these changes, the core of Ghana’s team remains largely unchanged, with star players like Asamoah Gyan, John Boye, the Ayew brothers (André and Jordan), and Jonathan Mensah all making the cut. Ghana is placed in a tough “Group of Death” alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, ensuring that the Black Stars will face a challenging road to the latter stages of the competition.
The full 23-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Razak Braimah (Mirandes/Spain)
Fatau Dauda (Ashanti Gold/Ghana)
Ernest Sowah (Don Bosco/DR Congo)
Defenders:
Harrison Afful (Esperance/Tunisia)
John Boye (Erciyesspor/Turkey)
Jonathan Mensah (Evian/France)
Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg/South Africa)
Baba Rahman (Augsburg/Germany)
Gyimah Edwin (Mpumalanga Black Aces/South Africa)
Daniel Amartey (FC Copenhagen/Denmark)
Midfielders:
Rabiu Mohammed (Krasnodar/Russia)
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese/Italy)
Afriyie Acquah (Parma/Italy)
Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe/DR Congo)
Christian Atsu (Everton/England)
Mubarak Wakaso (Celtic/Scotland)
André Ayew (Olympique Marseille/France)
Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht/Belgium)
David Accam (Chicago Fire/USA)
Forwards:
Jordan Ayew (Lorient/France)
Mahatma Otoo (Songdal/Norway)
Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain/United Arab Emirates)
Kwesi Appiah (Cambridge United/England)
As Ghana looks to make their mark on the competition, Grant will be hoping the team’s blend of experience and youthful talent can help them navigate the difficult group stage. With the tournament fast approaching, expectations remain high for the Black Stars, who will be aiming to lift the trophy once again.