Ghana, s Squad Named For Friendlies

Claude Le Roy has named his 20-man Ghana squad for the upcoming friendly fixtures later this month.

Ghana would play two separate international away friendlies against Austria and Brazil within a four-day period.

Le Roy has two new faces in the Black Stars squad while another old member of the team gets his first call since the coach took over in October 2006.

Olympic team captain, Michael Helegbe of French Ligue 2 side, Guingamp and national team colleague, Alfred Arthur who plays in the domestic league for AshantiGold both secure their debut call ups into the senior team.

Israeli-based attacker, Derek Boateng get his first call under Claude Le Roy as Peter Ofori-Quaye, Haminu Dramani and Alex Tachie Menson all return to the team after missing out of Ghana's last friendly game in February.

The Black Stars begin their two-game friendly series in Graz first where they play Euro 2008 co-host, Austria on March 24 before flying out to take on former world champions, Brazil three days later in Solna, Sweden.

The game against the Austrians would be the second friendly for the Black Stars this year after their 4-1 thumping of Nigeria last month in a similar fixture.

Ghana's the encounter with Brazil on March 27 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 Black Stars' preparations towards the African Cup of Nations in 2008.

Ghana, by virtue of being host of the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals would not be playing any competitive match until January 2008, when the tournament kicks off in Accra.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpie (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Alfred Arthur (AshantiGold, Ghana), Iliasu Alhassan (Saturn FC, Russia) John Mensah (Rennes, France)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey) Michael Essien (Chelsea, England) Laryea Kingson (Hearts, Scotland) Sulley Muntari (Udinese, Italy) Haminu Draman (Genclerbirligi, Turkey) Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland) Michael Helegbe (Guingamp, France)

Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Peter Ofori-Quaye (OFI-Crete, Greece) Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy) Derek Boateng (Beitar Jerusalem, Israel) and Alex Tachie Menson (St. Gallen, Switzerland).