Ghana names squad for FIFA U-20 World Cup

Ghana Black Satellites coach, Sellas Tetteh has named only five foreign-based players in his final 21-man squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

The quintet include defenders Daniel Pappoe (Chelsea, England), Baba Abdul Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany); midfielder Joseph Alfred Duncan (AS Livorno, Italy) and forwards Frank Opoku Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium) and Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy).

The list as published by world soccer governing body, FIFA has 16 players who ply their trade locally for the championship scheduled from June 21 to July 13.

Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates but for Princebell Addico (Bechem United) and goalkeeper Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars), the others were part of the team that won silver at the African Youth Championship in Algeria last March.

Addico was dropped at the eleventh hour for the continental championship whilst Ofori has replaced Asante Kotoko third-choice goalie Felix Annan. The squad is consisted by three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five forwards.

The Satellites currently fine-tuning in Switzerland are housed in Group A alongside Spain, France and the United States of America (USA). They will be joined by Baba Rahman and Boakye-Yiadom, who are with the Black Stars for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the weekend.

Tetteh and his charges will launch their campaign against France in the tournament opener on June 21 in Istanbul, squares Spain three days later at the same venue before traveling to Kayseri to face USA on June 27.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Eric Ofori Antwi (Amidaus), Richard Ofori (All Stars), Michael Sai (Berekum Chelsea)

Defenders: Jeremiah Arkoful, Joseph Larweh Attama (Tema Youth), Richmond Nketiah (Medeama), Baba Abdul Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany), Daniel Pappoe (Chelsea, England), Lawrence Lartey (AshantiGold), Princebell Addico (Bechem United)

Midfielders: Ebenezer Ofori (Edubiase), Joseph Alfred Duncan (Livorno, Italy), Seidu Salifu (All Stars), Clifford Aboagye (Inter Allies), Michael Anaba (Asante Kotoko), Moses Odjer (Tema Youth)

Forwards: Frank Opoku Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Francis Narh (Tema Youth), Kennedy Ashia (Liberty), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy), Ebenezer Assifuah (Liberty)

Source: GNA