Ghana call uncapped trio by;dilaso

Ghana have called up three uncapped players for their friendlies against Austria and Brazil in the next week.

Europe-based midfielders Anthony Annan and Bernard Yao Kumordzi were called to the Black Stars to replace captain Stephen Appiah and Michael Essien, who withdrew due to injury.

Annan has been impressive since joining the Norwegian side IK Start in January while Kumordzi plays for the Greek club Egaleo.

Also getting his maiden call-up to the is home-based goalkeeper Patrick Antwi, who plays for Liberty Professionals.

All the three players are members of Ghana's Olympic team.

The Black Stars meet Austria in Graz on Saturday and play Brazil in Stockholm next Tuesday.

Appiah suffered a thigh strain while playing for Turkish side Fenerbahce on Saturday and he is expected to be out for two weeks.

Essien is yet to recover from a knee injury he suffered while playing for English club Chelsea two weeks ago.

Ghana's encounter with Brazil comes almost nine months after the South American nation edged out the Black Stars in the second round of last year's World Cup.

Both matches are expected to boost the preparations of Ghana towards their hosting of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.