Ghana Set for Crucial AFCON Qualifier in Uganda Amid Avram Grant Uncertainty
Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, will arrive in Uganda on Friday morning ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Kampala. The Group E clash, scheduled for Saturday, is a pivotal fixture in Ghana’s bid to secure a spot at the 2015 continental tournament.
According to Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) communications officer Ahmed Hussein, the team is expected to land at Entebbe International Airport aboard a private charter flight, just 24 hours before kick-off.
While the arrival of the squad has been confirmed, there remains uncertainty around whether Avram Grant, the former Chelsea and West Ham manager recently linked with the Ghana job, will accompany the team. Grant is widely expected to take over the coaching reins, but his appointment has yet to be officially finalised.
Despite the coaching cloud, Ghana are heading to Kampala with a strong and experienced squad. The team includes several key players who feature in top European leagues, as well as promising local talent. The Black Stars, perennial AFCON contenders, will be looking to assert their dominance and secure a vital away result in a challenging East African environment.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers:
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Fatau Dauda (AshGold, Ghana)
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Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars, Ghana)
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Razak Braimah (Mirandés FC, Spain)
Defenders:
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Yaw Frimpong (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
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Harrison Afful (Espérance, Tunisia)
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Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa)
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Baba Rahman (FC Augsburg, Germany)
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Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England)
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John Boye (Erciyesspor, Turkey)
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Kwabena Adusei (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa)
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Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France)
Midfielders:
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Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy)
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Rabiu Mohammed (Krasnodar, Russia)
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Mubarak Wakaso (Celtic, Scotland)
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Christian Atsu (Everton, England)
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Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
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Edwin Gyimah (Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa)
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Afriyie Acquah (Parma FC, Italy)
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André Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France)
Forwards:
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Jordan Ayew (Lorient, France)
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Abdul-Majeed Waris (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
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David Accam (Helsingborgs, Sweden)
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Emmanuel Osei Banahene (Al Orobah, Saudi Arabia)
With a potent mix of youth and experience, Ghana will look to assert their pedigree in Kampala, despite the high altitude and home crowd advantage that Uganda enjoys. A victory would keep the Black Stars on track to maintain their record of consistent qualifications for Africa’s premier football event.
