Ofori-Quaye handed Ghana recall

..Pimpong, Issah Ahmed and Dan Quaye out
Black Stars coach, Claude Le Roy has handed OFI Crete striker, Peter Ofori-Quaye a recall into the Ghana squad for next month?s international friendly against Australia.

Peter Ofori-Quaye has been included in the eighteen-man squad for the game at the Queen's Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground on November 14 in London.

The striker, who has been in good form for his Greek side returns to the Black Stars after a long absence.

Peter Ofori Quaye, who ended a five-year spell with Greek side Olympiakos in 2003, signed for Liberty Professionals in the local league last season in an attempt to re-launch his injury ravaged career and soon secured a move to OFI Crete.

Also returning is West Ham defender, John Paintsil, who has recuperated from an injury which ruled him out of the Black Stars? last two international games.

The only exclusions from the eighteen-man Black Stars team for the game against the Socceroos are Danish based, Razak Pimpong of FC Copenhagen and Randers FC?s Issah Ahmed and Dan Quaye of Hearts of Oak.

All three were part of the nineteen-man squad that represented Ghana for the double tour of Asian where the Black Stars played Japan and South Korea this month.

English duo, Derek Asamoah of Shrewsbury and Nottingham Forest attacker, Junior Agogo retained their places in the team.

The friendly with the Socceroos forms part of Ghana?s build up towards the African Cup of Nations in two years time.

Ghana, by virtue of being host of the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals would not be playing any competitive match until January 2008, when the tournament kicks off in Accra.

The game against the Australians would be the third for new Black Stars coach, Claude Le Roy.

Le Roy guided the Black Stars to their Asian conquest where Ghana beat Japan and South Korea in two separate international friendlies this October.

Ghana squad:

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpie (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Habib Mohammed (Molde FK, Norway), Shilla Illiasu (Saturn FC, Russia) and John Mensah (Rennes, France)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Laryea Kingson (Locomitiv Moscow, Russia) Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Haminu Dramani (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)

Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Peter Ofori-Quaye (OFI Crete, Greece) Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy) and Derek Asamoah (Shrewsbury, England).