Stars squad to face Egypt: Dede in; Gyan, Asamoah out
Black Stars deputy skipper, Andre Dede Ayew, has made a return to the team after two months in the treatment room to lead Ghana against Egypt in a titanic World Cup qualifier next weekend.
Advertisement
The West Ham midfielder, who missed the Stars’ goalless drawn game against Uganda at the Tamale Sports Stadium last month, is expected to inspire the team in the stead of skipper Asamoah Gyan, who is out due to a thigh injury.
Another key player, Kwadwo Asamoah, was once again overlooked by the Israeli manager due to injury, while no local outfield player caught the eyes of Avram Grant.
Dede, who is returning to Coach Grant’s squad for the first time since he last featured for Ghana in the AFCON qualifier against Mauritius in June, returns alongside two debutantes, Alhassan Wakaso and Andy Yiadom.
The 24-year old Alhassan, who is the junior brother of midfielder Mubarak Wakaso, plays for Portuguese side, Rio Ave FC as a defensive midfielder, while Yiadom, also 24, plays for English championship club, Barnsley, as a lateral defender.
This time around, the team will feature two sets of brothers, the Ayew brothers and the Wakaso brothers.
Also staging dramatic comebacks are Ebenezer Assifuah and Abdul Majeed Waris, who missed the last outing against Uganda.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway) Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain) Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Alhassan Wakaso (Rio Ave, Portugal), Samuel Tetteh (Leifering, Austria)
Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Abdul-Majeed Waris (Lorient, France), Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland).