2017 AFCON: Donsah handed maiden Ghana call-up for Rwanda clash - Andre Ayew, Assifuah return

Published on: 26 August 2015
2017 AFCON: Donsah handed maiden Ghana call-up for Rwanda clash - Andre Ayew, Assifuah return
Black Stars squad

Coach Avram Grant has handed Ghana teenage prodigy Godfred Donsah his maiden senior national team call-up by naming the hugely talented midfielder in his 24-man squad for next week's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda.

The Israeli manager named two-home based players in the team for the match in Kigali as Fatau Dauda of Ashgold and Wa All Stars shot-stopper Richard Ofori were included in the team dominated by foreign based players.

The Black Stars coach recalled Switzerland-based attacker Ebenezer Assifuah into the Black Stars squad as the Sion player returns to the team for the first time since January.

In-form deputy captain Andre Ayew was recalled for the match against Rwanda after missing the opening 7-1 victory against Mauritius in June in the opening match of their qualifiers for the tournament in Gabon.

Since then the Swansea City player has hit a rich vein of form and will boost the Black Stars attacking squad for the clash with the Wasps.

However most of the players who featured in the match against Mauritius were retained but Frank Acheampong and Albert Adomah weree dropped because of the return to fitness of Andre Ayew.

The reliable defensive set-up of the Black Stars were maintained with Spain-based Razak Brimah and the central defensive partnership between John Boye and Jonathan Mensah likely to start while Daniel Amartey will serve as their back-up.

Harrison Afful, Jeffery Schlupp and new Chelsea boy Baba Rahman will be relied upon to form the rest of the defence while Mubarak Wakaso, Agyemang Badu, Afriyie Acquah and Mohammed Rabiu will be the midfield men.

Jordan Ayew will partner Asamoah Gyan in attack as the Black Stars seek to cement their place at the top of the group after their emphatic opening win in the tough group following Rwanda win in their opening game too.

Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Fatau Dauda (AshGold), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England), Baba Rahman (Chelsea, England), Gyimah Edwin (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Daniel Amartey, (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)

Midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Krasnodar, Russia), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Solomon Asante (T.P. Mazembe, DR Congo), Christian Atsu (Bournemouth, England), Andre Ayew (Swansea City, UK) Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Bernard Mensah (Getafe, Spain), Godfred Donsah (Bologna, Italy).

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (SIPG Shanghai, China), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), David Accam (Chicago Fire, USA), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Atalanta, Italy).

Do you think Avram Grant has called the right players? If not which players have been left out? Are you impressed with the quality of players? Do you think Ghana will defeat Rwanda? Make your views known in the box below:

Comments

  • Francis Brefo
    says: 9 years ago
    Good squad ,but the likes of Enoch Adu kofi,Thomas Partey,samuel affum,should be given chance .
  • Assisi
    says: 9 years ago
    Very good squad even though I still think they should have invited Sulley Muntari
  • Sir James, aka great columbus
    says: 9 years ago
    I think Avram Grant has finally listened to the masses by inviting certain players who are perceived to be the future of our Black Stars. Initially, he seems not to care about teams building which some of us were much worried. However, I still believe there is room for improvement since we don't have a suitable replacement for Harrison Afful and Baba Rahman in case of any eventuality. I would therefore recommend Mitch Apau of Westerlo in Belgium and Gideon Baah of HJK Helsinki in Finland who was voted as one of the best defender's at the previous edition of the Europa League. Somebody might argue but we should bear in mind that Jeffery Schlupp and Edwin Gyimah are not try and tested defenders.
  • anokwale
    says: 9 years ago
    Schlup is a good back up. He is not as offensive as Baba but he can do the job.
  • DonJusty
    says: 9 years ago
    did i hear someone saying Jeffery Schlupp is not tried n tested? so who is tried n tested? mtcheeew what? ei, Gh fans n their analysis. masre saaaa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa....
  • Augustin Davidson
    says: 9 years ago
    drop Fatau Damaruda and bring back Adam kwarasey also drop Jardan and Afriye Acquah becus of sex issues