The trio re-enter the squad after extended time out for the Black Stars’ vital World Cup Qualifier against Zambia.
A whole host of big names have been named in the Ghana squad set to take on Zambia on Tuesday night in Kumasi.
AC Milan star Kevin-Prince Boateng, Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Andre Ayew of Olympique Marseille are all making a return to the squad after spending extended periods away from the national team.
Prince delighted Black Stars fans earlier in the week when he sent a letter to the Ghanaian FA announcing that he would like to retract his decision to retire from international football – a decision he made during the 2011-12 season in order to focus on his numerous club responsibilities.
Essien has hardly featured for the national side since the successes of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, partially due to extensive recurring injuries and partly due to sabbatical. Now back at Chelsea from a loan spell at Real Madrid, the dynamic midfielder will be a welcome addition should he be fit enough to play.
As for Ayew, he was dropped from the side by manager Kwesi Appiah in January of this year after arriving late to training during the African Cup of Nations. Following Appiah’s decision, Ayew then decided to make himself unavailable for further selection.
He, along with his brother Jordan, will feature in what is a very strong Ghana squad along with Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Christian Atsu and Mubarak Wakaso – plus a host of other top-flight talent.
After five games played Ghana currently sit atop Group D, just one point ahead of Zambia in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying group.
Of the ten African qualifying groups, only the top placed teams will progress to the third qualifying round. This means that a win or a draw will be enough to see the Black Stars through.
They may be entering the match in better form than their opponents, with four wins in their last five matches versus Zambia’s two, but Zambia triumphed 1-0 in the first qualifying battle between the two.
Here is Appiah’s full 26-man squad for the decisive showdown:
Goalkeepers: Fatawu Dauda (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Adam Kwarasey (Stromgodset, Norway), Razak Braimah (Guadalajara, Spain).
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, Congo), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Rashid Sumaila (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Mohammed Awal (Maritzburg United, South Africa).
Midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), Yussif Raman Chibsah (Sassuolo, Italy), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough, England), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, Congo), Mubarak Wakaso (Espanyol, Spain), Christian Atsu (Porto, Portugal), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan, Italy)
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France), Abdul Majeed Waris (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Mahatma Otoo (Sogndal, Norway).
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