Coach Appiah names Stars squad for Cape Verde friendly
The Stars coach Kwesi Appiah on Monday made public his squad for the international friendly against Cape Verde on Tuesday, November 13 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Black Stars trainer has handed debut call ups to Inter Milan midfielder Joseph Alfred Duncan and former Asante Kotoko defender, Awal Mohamed, now with South African side Maritzburg United in his 21-man squad.
The relatively unknown Duncan has tasted only four minutes of action for the star-studded Nerazzurri this season whilst centre back Awal has been consistent for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit since joining them.
Nana Akwasi Asare of Dutch side FC Utrecht has been invited for the first time since the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Right back Samuel Inkoom makes a return into the team and so is striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom. Both players missed out on the second leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi in Lilongwe last month.
Also rejoining the team is France-based Jonathan Mensah, who has recovered from an injury.
There is however no place for first choice goalie Adam Larsen Kwarasey with local shot stoppers, Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold) and Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals) being called up.
Another omission is midfielder Rabiu Mohamed who plays for French side Evian Thonon Gaillard who gave a good account of himself in the game in Lilongwe.
According to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the encounter, a warm-up for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will take place at the University of Lisbon Sports Stadium.
Cape Verde, nicknamed Blue Sharks will be making their debut appearance at the continental showpiece event.
The Stars are in Group B alongside Mali, Niger and DR Congo.
Full squad;
Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold, Ghana) and Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), John Paintsil (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Kissi Boateng (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana), Nana Kwasi Asare (Utrecht, Holland), Jonathan Mensah (Evian Thonon Gaillard, France), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Jerry Akamenko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), David Addy (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal)
Midfielders: Joseph Duncan (Inter Milan, Italy) Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Solomon Asante (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana), Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England), Mubarak Wakasu (RCD Espanyol, Spain), Edwin Gyimah (SuperSport United, South Africa), Anthony Annan (Osasuna, Spain) and Christian Atsu (Porto, Portugal)
Strikers: Abdul Majeed Warris (Hacken, Sweden), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy) and Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE).
Source: GNA