Soccer News of Thursday, 27 August 2009

Source: kickoffghana.com

Squad Against Sudan Named

Ghana will be without Kwadwo Asamoah for their 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier against Sudan but Milovan Rajevac will have all his other big guns available for the game in Accra.

The Udinese midfielder who has been out with a knee injury will not recover in time for the game on September 6 and the international friendly against Japan in Utrecth three days later and has been left out of Rajevac’s squad for the two games.

Asamoah burst unto the Ghana scene in grand style during two crucial qualifiers in June against Sudan and Mali scoring one and providing a creative edge to the team that endeared him to many Ghanaians.

But the injury which he picked up during Udinese’s pre-season training camp means he will miss the first competitive game for the Black Stars in a year and more crucially a game that could confirm Ghana’s place at the 2010 World Cup.

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson was also a major doubt for the game as KickOffGhana.com reported weeks ago but is confident he will recover in time for the match.

With that in mind, Rajevac has called up his best possible squad for the game. Laryea Kingston who is back in training with Hearts has been included in the side after three months out. He has not played for the Black Stars in a year.

Ghana can seal their place at the 2010 World Cup on September 6 if they beat Sudan and Mali draw against Benin in their meeting in Cotonou on the same day.

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson( Wigan Athletic, England), George Owu (Al Masry, Egypt), William Amamoo (Vassalund, Norway)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Basel FC, Switzerland), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Unattached), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Laryea Kingston, (Hearts, Scotland) Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Haminu Draman (Russia)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Mathew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Prince Tagoe (Hoffeinham, Germany), Junior Agogo