AFCON 2019: Gyan named in Black Stars provisional squad
Asamoah Gyan is part of Kwasi Appiah’s provisional 29-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation scheduled for Egypt.
The striker has been named hours after ending his retirement from the senior national team, the Black Stars.
Ghana’s record goal-scoring forward explained it was the President, Nana Akufo-Addo who prevailed on him to do the u-turn following an interaction.
However, Harrison Afful, who has been Ghana’s first choice right back for four years, has been dropped. The defender is said to be nursing an injury.
Asante Kotoko duo Felix Annan and Abdul Fatawu, as well as Mohammed Alhassan, are the only local players in the squad.
There is also a place for Under 23 striker Kwabena Owusu, Czech Republic-based winger Samuel Owusu and Switzerland-based defender Nuhu Musa.
In total, the 29 consists of three goalkeepers, ten defenders, eleven midfielders and five strikers.
Goalkeepers:
Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa, Lawrence Ati- Zigi (Sochaux, Montbeliard, France), and Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Defenders:
John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England, Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe A.S, Turkey), Kassim Nuhu, (Hoffenheim, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Basaksehir, Turkey), and Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Midfielders:
Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Internazionale, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew ( Fenerbache, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain), Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Strikers:
Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Abdul Majeed Waris ( Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey and Kwabena Owusu (Leganes, Spain).
The team will depart Accra, on Sunday, June 1, for pre-tournament preparations in Dubai, ahead of the competition. Of the 29 players, the final 23 will be named to represent Ghana at the tournament.
The GFA Normalization Committee has lined up two high profile preparatory matches for the Black Stars against Namibia and South Africa.
Meanwhile, the following are the additional backroom staff joining the Black Stars technical team for the competition.
They are;
1. Coach David Duncan (Scout)
2. Coach Didi Mas- Ud Dramani (Scout)
3. Coach Sellas Tetteh (scout)
4. Patrick Ofori (Psychologist)
5. Samuel Kwame Ankomah (Masseur)
6. Jermaine Lopia (Video & match analyst)
7. Simon Copley (Physical trainer)