Ex-France U17 captain Osei named in Ghana final U20 squad

Ex-France U17 captain Kelvin Osei has been named in Ghana's final squad for the defence of their Africa Youth Championship title in South Africa this month.

The Marseille utility player is part of the Black Satellites 21-man squad for the U20 continental tournament.

But three key Europe-based players will miss the tournament after their clubs refused to release them for the competition.

Marseille opted not to release Jordan Ayew as he is expected to help them in the tight title race in France.

Italy-based duo of Daniel Kofi Agyei (Fiorentina) and Afriyie Acquah (Palermo) will also not make the trip as they were not released by their clubs.

But coach Orlando Wellington will rely on eight foreign-based players including the Genoa duo of top-scorer Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and left back Masawudu Alhassan.

Metz striker Kwame Nsor, who is known as the Adebayor of Ghana football was also selected along with Benfica youngster Enoch Ebo Andoh.

Spain-based Bright Addae, James Bissue of Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Shevaand Gershon Koffie of Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps also made the final squad.

The rest of squad is dominated by players in the Ghanaian top flight with a handful in the lower division sides.

Three players Jacob Kwao, Muniru Abdellah and Kassim Adam failed to make the grades at their camping base.

The Black Satellites won the last edition of the championship in Rwanda and face a difficult task in Group B against Nigeria, Cameroon and Gambia.

The semi-finalists at the tournament to be played from 17 April to 1 May will represent the continent at the 2011 Fifa World Cup in Colombia.

Ghana's final squad:
Adade Foli (Ebusua Dwarfs), Akwasi Acheampong (Liberty Professionals), Ibrahim Alhassan (Madina United),

Rashid Sumaila (Ebusua Dwarfs), Adnan Saeed (Wa All Stars), Karim Alhassan (Hearts of Oak), Paul Aidoo (Berekum Chelsea), Richmond Nketiah (FC Nania), Samuel Kyere (Berekum Chelsea),Ebenezer Otu (Berekum Chelsea), Masawudu Alhassan (Genoa),

Albert Bruce (Asante Kotoko), Seidu Shaibu (Wa All Stars), Bright Addae (Terrassa FC), James Bissue (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Enoch Ebo Andoh (Benfica),Gershon Koffie (Vancouver Whitecaps),

Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Genoa) Kelvin Osei (Olympique Marseille), Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak), Kwame Nsor (Metz).