Ghana name squad for matches against Congo and England

Published on: 14 March 2011

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic has handed the top scorer in the country's league Nathaniel Asamoah in his squad for this month's matches against Congo and England.

The Serbian trainer recalled in-form Belgium-based defender Daniel Opare after a three-year absence in the 24-man squad.

Impressive Qatar-based speedster Opoku Agyemang returns to the Black Stars fold for the two matches.

All the key Ghana players who are available were named excluding Michael Essien who is on a self-imposed international exile.

Top performers like John Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Sulley Muntari, Kevin Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Prince Tagoe and Dominic Adiyiah were part of the squad.

Even Asamoah Gyan, who is suspended for the clash against Congo on 27 March is part of the Serbian coach's squad as he is expected to play in the England friendly two days later.

But Nathaniel Asamoah's call-up is the biggest shock in the squad as Kotoko attacker has been rewarded  for scoring nine goals so far in the Ghana league.

The invites compensates the 21-year-old who was snubbed for the just ended CHAN tournament in Sudan.

Speedster Opoku Agyemang, on loan at Qatari side Al Ahli, makes a return to the Black Stars after recovering from a long injury lay-off.

He was a handful for defenders at the African Cup of Nations in Angola last year as the Black Stars reached the final.

The winger's pace and skills caused several problems for top players like Arsenal Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue who was sent off for his tackle on the Ghanaian at the tournament.

But an ankle injury ruled him out of the World Cup and has now recovered and even scored a few goals for his club in Qatar.

Standard Liege defender  Opare has rewarded for his hard work in Belgian Jupiler League side.

The former Real Madrid youth player was touted as one of the country's biggest talents in 2007 when the Spanish giants signed him but the presence of world-class experienced players at the club stunted his growth.

A knee problem also slowed his progress but has been transformed since moving last summer after years of frustration at the Bernabeu.

The right-back who has also also played on the left in many matches for Standard this season, get his second senior team call after being named in Ghana's 2008 pre-Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, suspended for the crucial 2012 Nations qualifier on 27 March against Congo in Brazaville has been picked.

Ghana will also play England in a friendly at the new Wembley two days later.

Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Blackpool, England), Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak, Ghana) Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England) Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine) Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium) David Addy (Academica Coimbra, Portugal) Jonathan Mensah (Granada, Spain) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany) John Mensah (Sunderland, England) Lee Addy (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Schalke 04, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios, Greece) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Sulley Muntari (Sunderland, England) Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain) Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan, Italy) Andre Ayew (Marseille, France) Opoku Agyemang (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia)

Attackers: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland, England) Prince Tagoe (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia) Dominic Adiyiah (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia) Nathaniel Asamoah (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)

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