Kwadwo Asamoah to captain Ghana against Kenya

Kwadwo Asamoah is set to captain Ghana against Kenya in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday as Kwesi Appiah aim to develop a leadership culture within his group.

The Inter Milan versatile man will lead his country for the first time, after ending his four-year self-imposed exile from the Black Stars.

Asamoah is the most senior player in the current squad in the absence of substantive skipper Asamoah Gyan and his deputy Andre Ayew.

GHANAsoccernet.com understands that Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah is no hurry to make a permanent appointment after a lack of game time and form cost Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew a place in the squad for the crucial qualifier against the Harambee Stars.

Asamoah, 29, will be handed the honour on his return to the Ghanaian team after a four-year absence.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has been handed the role on an interim basis but the 25-year-old has downplayed his chances of replacing the iconic Asamoah Gyan.

Partey has also enjoyed the backing of former Chelsea legend Michael Essien for the leadership role, but it appears Appiah is determined to build a crack team devoid of 'premadonnas' who threaten harmony in his bid to end the country's 37-year wait for an African Cup of Nations title.

Coach Kwesi Appiah sees Asamoah as a leader who can inherit the armband from record goal-scorer Asamoah Gyan.

Appiah has kept to his earth-shattering decision of dropping brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew from his squad since the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Uganda in October last year.