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Soccer News of Thursday, 23 May 2013

Source: ghanasoccernet

Appiah to name final squad for Sudan, Lesotho qualifiers

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has confirmed he will release his final squad for June’s World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Lesotho by the close of the week.

No major changes are expected to be made in the squad likely to be announced on Thursday or latest Friday.

Samuel Inkoom is likely to stage a comeback into the team having missed the 2013 African Cup of Nations due to his club inactiveness at Ukrainian side Dnipro.

Inkoom, 23, has however enjoyed some decent first team action since moving to French outfit Bastia which could pave the way for his return to the national team.

In-form Young Boys striker Samuel Affum could also gatecrash Kwesi Appiah’s squad after an impressive debut season in the Swiss Super League with Richmond Boakye-Yiadom unlikely to make the cut despite helping Sassuolo Calcio to secure promotion to the Italian top-flight.

Chievo Verona midfielder Isaac Coffi is rumoured to be in the squad with no place for goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey who has been ruled out with an injury, according to reports in the local media.

Aduana Stars shot-stopper Stephen Adams is likely to take the place of the Stromsgodest goalkeeper if his injury is confirmed.

Experienced players Sulley Muntari, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso and John Boye are sure bet to make the final squad.

There could also be places for defenders Baba Abdul Rahman and Rashid Sumaila as well as Maritzburg United’s Awal Mohammed.

TP Mazembe Ghanaian duo Solomon Asante and Richard Kissi-Boateng as well as new boy Emmanuel Frimpong are expected to make the cut.

In-form Hearts striker Mahatma Otoo could partner captain Asamoah Gyan while there are injury concerns for Abdul Majeed Waris.

The Ghanaian local media has speculated that Helsinborg striker David Accam could be the surprise exclusion from the team despite scoring five goals so far in the Swedish League.

The Ghanaian trainer has confirmed he will name his final squad by the close of the week.

“I will announce my squad by the close of the week,” Appiah said.

“We need every Ghanaian player doing well on board and so I have cast my net wide. The games against Sudan and Lesotho are going to be very tough but we want to go to the World Cup and so we must try and win those games.”

The Black Stars must negotiate the two ties to ensure they stay in hunt for qualification to the global showpiece in Brazil 2014.