Big shocks expected as Ghana name AFCON squad today

Ghana’s squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will be named today with coach Avram Grant expected to spring massive surprises with several new call-ups of youngsters while the controversial trio that includes in-form Sulley Muntari, are expected to be dropped.

The expected inclusion of several previously uncapped players will headline the Black Stars squad announcement while the axing of Muntari, Michael Essien and Kevin-Prince Boateng will also generate some controversy with opinions among fans split down the middle.


Several reports of the inclusion of some new players in the squad have been hugely speculated over the past few days with impressive Finland-based left-back Gideon Baah, Daniel Amartey of FC Copenhagen, Bernard Mensah of Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães and Ibrahim Moro of Swedish side AIK among those expected to be handed their debut call-ups.


There could be also a return on the cards for some players with Samuel Inkoom, who has not played for the Black Stars since the World Cup, and DR Congo-based Ernest Sowah, who has been in explosive form for Don Bosco in the country’s top-flight league.


Amartey has been on the radar following his move to Danish giants FC Copenhagen at the beginning of the season and played in the preliminary series of the UEFA Champions League and also featured prominently for Copenhagen in their failed Europa League campaign.


Moro, the former New Edubiase United player, made 23 league appearances and scored three goals for AIK last term as they finished third.

Moro, 21, is a defensive midfielder and will face a difficult task of making the final squad with stalwarts like Mohammed Rabiu, Afriyie Acquah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.


Grant is reported to have dropped the controversial trio of Muntari, Michael Essien and Kevin Prince-Boateng from the squad for refusing to apologise to the country.


According to a report in the Graphic Sports, the three players have not been included in a 31-man provisional squad of the Black Stars for the tournament which starts next month.


The three defiant characters, famed for their rebellion in the Stars camp during the last World Cup in Brazil, were still under suspension when Grant announced at his maiden encounter with the media that he had opened his doors wide for all players.


There is, however some confusion over the number of players to be called for the camping with some claiming that 26 players will be called up by the coach while others says 31 players will be named.

But what is certain is that several players who impressed in the qualifiers will retain their places in the squad with captain Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, Baba Abdul Rahman and Mubarak Wakaso first on the list of the Israeli coach.


The list is virtually a replica of the standing Black Stars team, including goalkeepers Razak Braimah, Stephen Adams and Fatau Dauda, but the status of Adam Kwarasey is still unknown.


Others certain to make the squad are Afful Harrison, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Agyemang Badu, Rabiu Mohammed and Jeffery Schlupp, with the towering Kwabena Adusei expected to make the list.


The new Ghana coach, who has a comprehensive database on the Black Stars, will be counting on the performance statistics of his players before naming his squad.


The Ghana Football Association has up until January 7 to present its squad to CAF for the 2015 AFCON to be staged in Equatorial Guinea.