Ghana coach names shock 26-man squad
Ghana coach Claude Leroy has named a shock 26-man squad for this month's African Cup of Nations that includes injured captain Stephen Appiah but dependable Germany based defender Hans Sarpei is axed from the team.
Also included in the squad is Dutch striker Quincy Owusu Abeyie who has not yet been cleared by Fifa to complete a switch to play for the Black Stars.
Germany-based defender Hans Adu Sarpei, who has been a reliable utility player for Ghana over the past two years, was excluded from the squad to camp in Abu Dahbi.
Appiah was included in the squad even though his doctors have excluded him from the squad, sparking faint hopes that he could recover in time for the tournament.
The French coach has already stated that Appiah will act as an adviser for the players during the tournament which starts in Accra on 20 January.
The duo of Laryea Kingston and Baffour Gyan, who were injury doubts, were also included in the squad.
Italy-bound striker Kwadwo Asamoah was among the three local players included in the squad.
Ashgold duo Fatau Dauda and Dan Opare were the other home-based players named in the squad which which will be further whittled down to 23 before the tournament starts.
Twelve of the players selected would depart Accra Wednesday evening for Dubai to be joined by the bulk of the players from their various bases in Europe.
The team would begin preparations for the African Cup of Nations on Thursday at their training camp.
Eleven of the players would be fighting for their first African Cup of Nations appearance as Claude Le Roy prepares to submit his final squad of 23 for the tournament by the January 10 deadline.
Ghana would kick off the tournament on January 20 at the Ohene Djan Stadium with an opening Group A game against Guinea.
Squad
Goalkeepers:Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod, Israel), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold, Ghana)
Defenders:John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Dan Opare (Ashantigold, Ghana), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelon, Belgium), John Mensah (Rennes, France), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn, Russia), Francis Dickoh (FC Utretcht, Holland)
Midfielders:Anthony Annan (I.K. Start, Norway), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Bernard Kumodzi (Panionios FC, Greece), Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Moussa Narry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma, Italy)
Strikers:Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy), Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn, Russia), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)