Ghana Names Full-Strength Squad for Crucial Guinea Double-Header in AFCON Qualifiers
Accra – October 3, 2014
Ghana interim coach Maxwell Konadu has named a full-strength squad for the upcoming back-to-back 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clashes against Guinea. The Black Stars will face the Syli Nationale on 11 October in Casablanca, Morocco, and again on 15 October in Tamale, Ghana.
Konadu, stepping in temporarily after the departure of Kwesi Appiah, has largely stuck with Ghana’s experienced core, making no major surprises in his first squad announcement. Captain Asamoah Gyan, alongside key players such as Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew, and Jonathan Mensah, all return to the fold.
The only new face is Kwabena Adusei, a standout performer at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), who earns his first senior call-up. The central defender currently plies his trade in South Africa with Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Ghana comes into the double-header on a positive note, having secured a vital 3-2 away win over Togo in Lomé last month. That result lifted the Black Stars to four points in Group E — level with Uganda, while Guinea trail on three points. Togo remain bottom without a point.
Konadu’s selection reflects the urgency of the two fixtures, which could prove decisive in the race for qualification.
Full Ghana Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Fatau Dauda (Chippa United, South Africa), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars), Razak Braimah (Mirandés, Spain)
Defenders:
Yaw Frimpong (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Harrison Afful (Espérance, Tunisia), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Baba Rahman (FC Augsburg, Germany), Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester City, England), Kwabena Adusei (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France)
Midfielders:
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Rabiu Mohammed (Krasnodar, Russia), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Christian Atsu (Everton, England), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Edwin Gyimah (Black Aces, South Africa), Afriyie Acquah (Parma, Italy), André Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France)
Forwards:
Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Lorient, France), Abdul Majeed Waris (Spartak Moscow, Russia), David Accam (Helsingborg, Sweden)
The Black Stars will be hoping to secure maximum points over both legs against Guinea, as they aim to return to the continental showpiece in Morocco next year. A strong showing from this experienced squad could see Ghana take a significant step toward qualification.
