Anxiety hits Black Stars players as Ghana names AFCON squad today

Published on: 13 December 2012

Anxiety is growing among Ghana players as their squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be named on Thursday afternoon (1400GMT).

Coach Kwesi Appiah has kept his cards very close his chest without giving away any hints of the identity of the players to be named.

This has sparked some tension among the players both at home and abroad as no places are guanrateed because of the intense competition for places in the squad.

Coach Appiah, unlike previous coaches, has given the chance to many players on the periphery of the squad with many impressing and challenging known regulars for their places.

This has resulted in Black Stars players based in Europe making frantic calls to their families and friends at home as well as journalist to find out if they have been named even in speculatory squads.

Some players like captain Asamoah Gyan, midfielders Kwadwo Asamoah, Agyemang Badu, , Anthony Annan, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, and defender John Boye and Isaac Vorsah can breathe easy because they can be guaranteed places becasue of their recent performances in the squad.

The right and left back positions are still problems for coach Appiah while ex-captain John Mensah is not sure if he will be picked.

This has led to uncertainty over the choice of John Paintsil, Harrioson Afful, Samuel Inkoom and Daniel Opare for the right-back position.

At the left back position Portugal-based David Addy, Berekum Chelsea's Richard Kissi, versatile Mubarak Wakasso are all not sure if they will be named by the coach.

The fight for the replacement for tough midfielders Annan and Agyemang is also intense as Derek Boateng and Rabiu Mohammed are all in with a chance as well as Sulley Muntari who is just recovering from injury.

Apart from striker Asamoah Gyan, the other attackers like Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Clottey, Abdul Majeed Waris and Richard Boakye Yiadom are also unsure if they will grab their places in the squad leading to some anxiety.

Berekum Chelsea midfielder Solomon Asante could be the only out-field locally-based player to make the squad.

Ghana are in Group B against DR Congo, Niger and Mali at the tournament which runs from 19 January to 10 February.

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