40 Players Called Up For Training Camp

December 18th, 2007 | by: Inara |

Claude Le Roy has called up 40 players to take part in a training camp in the United Arab Emirates next month. Le Roy is hoping that the training camp, which starts from January 5th, will allow the players to get into shape for the African Cup of Nations while also allowing him name his 23 man squad, which must be submitted by January 10th.

The group is a mix of foreign and local talent, some of whom are uncapped. Included in the list is Eric Bekoe, the domestic league’s top scorer (he plays for Asante Kotoko). Additionally, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie has been named on the list, though the Ghana Football Association is waiting to hear back from FIFA regarding his eligibility to represent Ghana (Owusu-Abeyie has also played for the Dutch U21 squad).

See the full list after the jump.

Goalkeepers:
Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England)
Sammy Adjei (Ashdod, Israel)
Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold, Ghana)
Laud Quartey (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Isaac Amoako (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)

Defenders:
John Paintsil (West Ham, England)
Dan Opare (Ashantigold, Ghana)
Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany)
Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelon, Belgium)
John Mensah (Rennes, France)
Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn, Russia)
Francis Dichoh (FC Utretcht, Holland)
Kofi Amponsah (Appollon Kalamarias, Greece)
Afful Harrison (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
Daniel Addo (Kessben FC, Ghana)

Midfielders:
Anthony Annan (I.K. Start, Norway)
Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)
Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)
Michael Essien (Chelsea, England)
Bennard Kumodzi (Panionios FC, Greece)
Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland)
Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)
Moussa Narry (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia)
Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, Turkey)
Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England)
Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France)
Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma, Italy)
Hamza Mohammed (FC Ceahlaul, Romania)
Rabiu Mohammed (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)
Michael Helegbe (FC Guingamp, France)

Strikers:
Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland)
Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy)
Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn, Russia)
Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England)
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain)
Nafiu Iddrisu (Asec, Ivory Coast), Eric Bekoe (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)
Joe Tex Frimpong (Young Boys, Switzerland)
Chris Dickson (Gillingham, England)
Sadat Bukari (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia)

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http://france.theoffside.com Sam

As I gather, Owusu-Abeyie won’t be able to play. I read this in FourFourTwo, and I think anything over U18 is final. And this goes for everyone: André Ayew is going to impress at the ACN.
http://ghana.worldcupblog.org Inara

If true, that’s really silly. And when did this new rule happen? A few years back it was something like under 25 when you had to decide your allegiance, and then it changed to 21 (I think?).

That’s such a big decision for a 17-18 year old kid. I’ve always thought 22 was a good age.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-dose/daily-dose-121907.html Daily Dose 12.19.07 – World Cup Blog

[...] But Ghana have gone for 40 (Ghana Blog) [...]
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org Rami

40 players! Claude Le Roy doesn’t play huh? Thats wild. I wonder what that training camp will be like. What intense competition for places. Happy to see Moussa Narry and Sadat Bukari reppin the Tunisian league too. A lot more people know about Moussa since his historic goal against Pachuca in the Club World Cup but Sadat didn’t get any run for some reason. I found that strange considering he kicks a lot of ass in the domestic league. Very technical player…

It’s good we’re not in Ghana’s group. I hope they go far in the tournament to keep the local fans happy. Thats always important for any tournament. Plus I think simply the vision of Essien on the opposite side of the field must make some players shake in their cleats. Dude’s thighs are bigger than my head. That’s the kind of physical presence in midfield I think we’re missing…
Andreas

It would be a shame because Quincy won’t be able to break into the Dutch setup. By not allowing him the chance to play for Ghana it would deprive the player of International football and I don’t think that is fair. I still maintain that as long as a player has not made a genuine international senior appearance for a country then he is still legible to play international football. Quincy’s case falls into this category.
http://ghana.worldcupblog.org Inara

Rami: If you think Essien’s thighs are huge, just take a look at Ahmed Barusso’s. They are like tree trucks. Anyway, I’m still in the process of learning about all these players, so I’m trying to figure out who the best ones are, the prospects, the not-so-good ones…It’s a lot more work than I thought it would be!

Andreas: What I don’t understand is when Fifa changed rules for representation? My understand was that U21 appearances didn’t count against you if you chose to represent a different senior team (that being the final decision of course). I’d hate to see any talented player denied the chance to play on the international level. As idealistic as the idea is that football should be kept pure and free of “opportunistic” players, the bottom line is that some countries have a lot more talent then others, and it can only help a country like Ghana if they can field Quincy, who is not needed in the Dutch side.
http://tunisia.worldcupblog.org/ Rami

Wow Inara, you’re right Barusso’s thighs are truly outrageous. Seems like he could power a whole city with the force some of his kicks could generate. I’d never want to be in the way of one of them. Ouchie. Meanwhile, sorry for the Stephen Appiah loss. I guess that automatically makes Essien captain then huh? It will be interesting to see who they look to in order to replace him on the field…