CHAN Qualifiers: Coach Maxwell names Ghana squad

Ghana’s CHAN head coach Maxwell Konadu has named experienced duo of Abeiku Ainooson and Godfred Saka in his starting line-up to face border-rivals Ivory Coast in Sunday’s 2016 CHAN qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The defensive pair are the most experienced players in the line-up which includes former Ghana U20 internationals of Lawrence Lartey, Patrick Asmah and Samuel Tetteh who played at the 2013 and 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup tournaments respectively.

AshantiGold goalkeeper Fatau Dauda who travelled with the Black Stars to Washington – USA, for Tuesday’s international friendly stalemate with Canada failed to make the 18-man grades with WA All Stars prospect Richard Ofori getting the nod for the custodian.

However Fatau’s AshantiGold challenge Robert Dabuo has been named on the bench as a substitute keeper.

Saka, who is a lateral defender for Aduana Stars together with Asmah of relegated Brong Ahafo United, will join Ainooson and Lartey to complete the back four.

Hearts of Oak’s Emmanuel Sabhan Laryea plays in a defensive midfield role with Aduana Stars’s Daniel Darkwah and Kennedy Ashia playing in an attacking midfield role.

Highly-rated youngster Joel Fameyeh and Samuel Tetteh split on the flanks offering offensive ammunition to Mohammed Deo Sheriff who leads the attacking lines.

MTN FA Cup award winner Kwasi Donsu starts from the bench with New Edubiase United’s Nuhu Fuseini.

Baba Mensah, Kadiri Mohammed, Osei Baffour and Joshua Tijani are the rest of the substitutes.

GHANA XI vs Ivory Coast: Richard Ofori – Godfred Saka, Abeiku Ainooson, Lawrence Lartey, Patrick Asmah – Emmanuel Sabhan Laryea, Kennedy Ashia, Daniel Darkwah, Joel Fameyeh – Samuel Tetteh, Mohammed Deo Sheriff.