Sumaila Rashid at risk of not making the final Ghana squad for 2013 AFCON

By Ameenu Shardow

Coach Akwasi Appiah will drop one central defender in order to arrive at his final Ghana squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

With six players, the central defensive department is the most saturated in the now provisional 24-man squad for the tournament to be hosted in South Africa.

This also follows the drop out of players in the striking and midfield department with Yahaya Mohammed and Andre Ayew missing out through injuries.

Akwasi Appiah will make a choice between Awal Mohammed and Rashid Sumaila with John Boye, Isaac Vorsah and Jonathan Mensah securing their place in the team.

Turkish-based Jerry Akaminko is also proving a very popular candidate amongst the Black Stars technical team.

Rashid Sumaila’s calm, collected and skillful posture even under pressure in defence is one striking quality he has going for him.

His inexperience at the Nations Cup stage however proves to be a major minus.

Though Awal Mohammed is also untested in a Black Stars shirt, the fact he knows the South African terrain and environment with his time with Maritzburg United helps his case.

His intimidating build and uncompromising nature is one needed for a championship side Ghana hopes to be in South Africa.

Either ways, coach Akwasi Appiah will certainly have to cut one to meet Wednesday’s deadline of submission of final squads for this month’s competition.