Black Stars Final 23

January 12th, 2008 | by: Inara |

After taking his sweet time, Claude LeRoy has finally released the 23 man squad he’ll be taking to Ghana in ten days. Fourteen of these players will be making their African Cup of Nations debut. Only three players ply their trade in Ghana’s domestic league. John Mensah has been named captain in the absence of Stephen Appiah.

Since their friendly against Dubai side Al Nasr was canceled, the Black Stars have arranged another friendly against another local side, Al-Shabbab.

Here is the final list of players:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod, Israel), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold, Ghana)

Defenders: John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelon, Belgium), John Mensah (Rennes, France), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn, Russia), Afful Harrison (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), (IK Start, Norway)

Midfielders: Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Bennard Kumodzi (Panionios FC, Greece), Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma, Italy}

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy), Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn, Russia), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals, Ghana).

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http://www.worldcupblog.org/african-cup-of-nations/francis-dickoh-ready-to-give-up-on-ghana.html Francis Dickoh Ready to Give Up on Ghana – World Cup Blog – African Cup of Nations 2008

[...] Cup of Nations in 2008. Except there wasn’t, as Dickoh has once again been left out of Claude Le Roy’s final 23-man squad for the tournament. The Utrecht defender has apparently been in good form for Utrecht in the Dutch [...]
http://livorno.theoffside.com/ Marco

Inara,What starting XI do you think the Black Stars will field?
http://ghana.worldcupblog.org Inara

Marco,

Well, the loss of Appiah throws the traditional lineup up in the air. I’m guessing he’ll be replaced by either Draman or Barusso – I’m thinking Draman because that’s who LeRoy used as part of his “A” team in the recent friendly. Also, Barusso’s presence in the back is a toss up – the spot could also go to Eric Addo.

We’ll probably see something like this:

Kingson
Paintsil – Mensah – Barusso – Sarpei
Kingston – Essien – Draman – Muntari
Gyan – Agogo