Boye, Adams Out As Ghana Call-Up Sumaila For Afcon Qualifier Against Kenya

Ghana's centre-back pair of John Boye and Kasim Adams have been ruled out of Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya, with Serbia-based Rashid Sumaila consequently earning a late invite for the fixture.

The Black Stars will have to do without the duo, who picked up injuries while in club action last week.

While FC Metz man Boye suffered his setback during a French Cup tie on Tuesday, Adams' hopes were dashed on Saturday after picking up an ankle injury in TSG Hoffenheim's Bundesliga victory over Freiburg.

Confirmed for some time on the sidelines, the duo's absence has forced Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah to hand a call-up to Red Star Belgrade centre-back Rashid Sumaila.

Leicester City utility man Daniel Amartey and Udinese youngster Nicholas Opoku, though, are the likely candidates to start in the heart of defence for the Black Stars on Saturday.

Inter Milan midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, on the other hand, is expected to be available for the match after putting behind an injury scare last week.

The 29-year-old played full-time for the Nerazzurri in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Bologna, having either been away from practice or trained alone for the most part of last week following a knock in a Serie A fixture against Torino on August 26.

Group F leaders Ghana are hoping to claim all three points in the September 8 fixture to consolidate their lead at the top of the table.