Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew absence won't affect Ghana in Kenya clash - Kwesi Appiah

Ghana trainer Kwesi Appiah says the absence of top players Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew won't negatively affect the Black Stars when they take on Kenya on Saturday.

Appiah made this revelation when he landed in Nairobi with his squad on Thursday night for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group “F” qualifier against Harambee Stars.

The Black Stars manager said he was delighted to have arrived in Kenya as the country is a familiar territory for the Black Stars.

He debunked suggestions from the local media on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that Ghana has been weakened by the absence of some of its key players.

“Kenya is home, we severally camp here, we feel free everything is good, the weather, the language and the people too,” coach Appiah said.

“We’ve prepared well, I am trying to know my team and I don’t believe in what supporters are saying that I left out one or two key players,

"Ghana has a lot of players, those not with us now will be with us in the future.”

The Black Stars checked into Kenya on Thursday night ahead of the match scheduled for Saturday at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

The Kwesi Appiah-coached side touched down at 7pm from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where they had pitched camp since Monday.

A squad of 23 players led by Inter Milan midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and 10 officials walked out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport arrival terminal at 8pm before heading to the waiting bus to their assigned hotel.

The four-time African champions top the group with three points level with second-placed Sierra Leone, who play bottom-placed Ethiopia in Addis on Sunday.

Kenya desperately need a win to recover from the 2-1 loss suffered in the first round match away to Sierra Leone June last year to revive qualification chances for the continental showpiece slated for Cameroon next year.