Ghana keeps faith in veteran goalkeeper

Ghana have kept 40-year-old goalkeeper Edward Ansah in the squad for their decisive African Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda on July 5, officials said on Wednesday.

Ansah has made a comeback after nine years, playing in Ghana's last three matches but conceding seven goals.

Ghana need a draw in Kigali to qualify for the finals in Tunisia but if they lose Rwanda will take top place in Group 13 and go to the finals for the first time.

Also included is Bayern Munich defender Samuel Osei Kuffour, whose return last weekend in a 1-1 draw at home to Uganda was his first game since being expelled for indiscipline during the 2002 Nations Cup finals in Mali.

There is also a first call-up for English-born midfielder Elvis Hammond and striker Lloyd Owusu while another striker, Patrick Agyemang of Wimbledon, also born in London, returns for a possible second cap.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Edward Ansah (Churchill Brothers, India), Abukari Kankani (Goldfields)

Defenders: Yakubu Abubakari (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Koffi Amponsah (PAOK Salonika, Greece), Michael Asante (Asante Kotoko), Daniel Edusei (Aegaleo, Greece), Joseph Hendricks (Asante Kotoko), Imoro Lukman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Samuel Osei Kuffour (Bayern Munich, Germany), John Painstil (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel)

Midfielders: Godfred Aduobe (Hansa Rostock, Germany), Lawrence Aidoo (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Stephen Appiah (Brescia, Italy), Derek Boateng (OFI Crete, Greece), Sulley Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Elvis Hammond (Fulham, England), William Tierro (Liberty Professionals)

Strikers: Patrick Agyemang (Wimbledon, England), Charles Amoah (Sturm Graz, Austria), Matthew Amoah (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Augustine Arhinful (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Joetex Frimpong (Enyimba, Nigeria), Lloyd Owusu (Sheffield Wednesday, England).