Only 23 players to pre-World Cup tour - GFA boss

Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi says only 23 players will make the Black Stars’ pre-World Cup tour of the Netherlands and the USA.

Coach Kwesi Appiah is expected to name a provisional 30-man squad for June’s tournament in Brazil by May 13 to satisfy a FIFA requirement. Seven players will however be chopped off the provisional list before the Black Stars emplane to the Netherlands on May 25.

“The 30-man squad will come out I think by 12 or 13 May,” Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi told Montie FM.

“Seven will be dropped because we intend taking only 23 to Holland.

“The coach may however add any extras if he deems fit but we are primarily careful not to take any add-ons due to past experiences.”

Nyantakyi however adds that changes can be made to Ghana’s ‘final’ squad as late as 24 hours to their opening Group G game against the USA on June 16.

“When we name the final squad it doesn’t mean no changes at all can take place,” he added.

“We have up to 24 hours to our opening game to make changes in the event where a player gets injured.

“A player can even be called outside the 30-man provisional squad based on the coach’s preference.”

The Black Stars will begin non-residential camp in Accra before travelling to face the Netherlands in their first pre-World Cup international friendly in Rotterdam.

The team will then finalize their preparations for the tournament in the USA where another friendly against Honduras has been arranged.