Asamoah Gyan

Gyan named in Ghana’s provisional squad

Daily Graphic Sports News May - 23 - 2019 , 09:27

Black Stars Coach, James Kwasi Appiah, has named a 29-man provisional squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation scheduled for Egypt next month.

The squad includes the team’s captain of six years, Asamoah Gyan, who yesterday rescinded a decision to retire from the team following the intervention of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Interestingly, the squad includes five players — Spain-based Kwabena Owusu, Serbia-based Samuel Owusu, Switzerland-based Nuhu Musa, Accra Hearts of Oak defender Mohammed Alhassan and Kumasi Asante Kotoko forward Abdul Fatawu Safiu — who have never played for the national team.

According to a GFA statement, Coach Appiah had strengthened his backroom staff with the appointment of Briton Simon Copley of Arsenal as the physical trainer and Jermaine Lopia, the performance analyst of Manchester City’s U-18 team who will serve as the video and match analyst for the Black Stars.

Other technical assistants include Patrick Ofori (psychologist) and Samuel Kwame Ankomah (masseur), while Ghanaian coaches David Duncan, Mas-Ud Dramani and Sellas Tetteh will play the roles of scouts for Appiah.

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers

Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).

Defenders

John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England), Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe AS, Turkey), Kassim Nuhu (Hoffeinham, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belguim), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Basaksehir, Turkey) and Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana).

Midfielders

Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Internazionle, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain) and Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).

Strikers

Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Adbul Majeed Waris (Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey) and Kwabena Owusu (Leganes, Spain).