Black Stars’ forward Asamoah Gyan has been named in Ghana’s 22-man squad to face Nigeria in a crucial All-Africa Games final round qualifier.
The Udinese of Italy star, who played the full 90 minutes in Ghana’s 4-1 defeat of Super Eagles in London, is expected to make his first appearance for the Black Meteors.
Ghana play host to Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles in the first leg final round qualifier slated for February 25 at the Sunyani Coronation Park.
Media sources gathered that the Black Meteors squad is made up of 17 local players and five foreign-based.
The players will move to camp on Monday, February 19, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram for preparations towards the game.
According to reports the local players will be joined by the foreign legion on Wednesday as Ghana chase a unique double over their perennial rivals.
Missing from the Meteors squad are captain Michael Helegbe of French Ligue two side Guingamp and midfielder Anthony Annan, who has joined IK Start of Norway.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in a ‘play it safe’ approach has written to CAF for a clarification on the eligibility of foreign players for the qualifiers.
Chairman of the Black Meteors Management Committee, Randy Abbey said on an Accra based radio station that the action was necessitated by suspicions that some countries were parading foreign-based players contrary to CAF regulations.
“Our understanding was that the competition was meant for players playing in Africa, but that was not the case in some countries.”
Abbey explained that his outfit is yet to receive any correspondents from the continents soccer controlling body to that effect. The GFA, however expect CAF’s response by the close of the week.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Eric Nii Baah (Asante Kotoko), Kotei Blankson (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Tema Youth FC)
Defenders: Kennedy Korlie (Liberty Professionals), Emmanuel Boakye (Heracles Almelo, Holland), Alfred Arthur (Ashantigold), Bawa Mumuni (Liberty Professionals), Isaac Vorsah (Asante Kotoko), Michael Akuffo (Fetteh Feyenoord), Sampson Cudjoe (Tudu Mighty Jets)
Midfielders: Haminu Dramani (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), James Boadu (Berekum Arsenal), Obed Ansah (Heart of Lions), Emmanuel Allen (Liberty Professionals), Mohammed Tuaha Khamix (Liberty Professionals), Gilbert Ayikade (Real Tamale United), Bernard Kumordzie (Egaleo FC, Greece), Jonathan Quartey (Ashantigold)
Attackers: Sadat Bukari (Heart of Lions), Emmanuel Clottey (Great Olympics), Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy), Samuel Yeboah (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel
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