Soccer News of Thursday, 18 August 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Avram Grant to name Stars for Rwanda encounter next week

Black Stars coach, Avram Grant, Black Stars coach, Avram Grant,

Head coach of the Black Stars Avram Grant is expected to name his team that will play against Rwanda in the final game of the 2017 AFCON qualifiers next week.

The Stars are scheduled to play the Amavubi’s early September (01-09-2016) before travelling to Russia for a friendly against the 2018 World Cup host in Moscow.

Grant has been landed a huge blow on face with the injury to his deputy skipper Andre Ayew with initial reports claiming he will be out of action for 120 days.

Skipper of the side Asamoah Gyan is currently on a hunt for a club after losing his first team status with Chinese high spenders Shanghai SIPG after the arrival of Brazilian Hulk from Zenit St.Petersburg.

It not all gloomy for Grant whose side lead GROUP H of the qualifiers with 13 points while Rwanda and third placed Mauritius all have 6 points.

There are interesting options for Grant ahead of what is an academic exercise with his star studded Black Stars already qualified for the championship and among the favourites to lift the trophy after losing on penalties to Cote D’voire last time out.

Adam Kwarasey has returned to full fitness while Fatau Dauda has improved his game since the last call up. Both keepers given their not so nice past will have to work together for the first time since Ghana’s chaotic Wold Cup campaign in Brazil 2014.

It will be interesting to see if high flying right back Samuel Inkoom and Germany based Daniel Opare will be given a look in ahead of the AFCON in Gabon.

There is also that issue of the now ageing yet experienced Sulley Muntari who has slapped in an apology in a bid to force his way back into the national team.

It will also be fascinating to see who Grant calls up-front with Yahaya Mohammed and Liberty’s Latif Blessing setting ablaze the unpredictable Ghana Premier League.

It’s not a secret that Ghanaian are obsessed with winning the Africa Cup of Nations after waiting for over 33 three years.

The game against Rwanda might not have a bearing on the AFCON but Grant will be rest assured that his call ups for the game will be monitored with huge interest like all other call ups.