The senior national football team, the Black Stars of Ghana will begin a residential camping today in Kumasi, ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Congo on Friday September 1, 2017 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Stars have obtained just one point after two matches played in the World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana drew at home to the Cranes of Uganda at the Tamale Sports Stadium and lost to Egypt in Alexandria by 2-0.
Kwesi Appiah has a herculean task to qualify the Stars to their fourth successive World Cup. The Black Stars are trailing on the table and are five-points adrift of leaders Egypt who have six points from two games.
Twenty-four players are expected to arrive today to begin training at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
Coach Kwesi Appiah’s 24-man list includes debutants Edwin Gyasi of Norwegian side Aalesund and Gideon Waja of Ghana Premier League side WAFA.
Some key players such as Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Mubarak Wakaso, Afriyie Acquah and Adam Kwarasey are still absent from the squad.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schullp, Kwadwo Poku, Cristian Astu have returned to the team after missing out in Ghana’s last game against Ethiopia in the AFCON 2019 qualifier.
According to reports Hearts of Oak midfielder Winful Cobbinah will be called to replace Isaac Sackey of Alanyaspor who picked up an injury over the weekend.
The Black Stars must win all their remaining matches if they have a chance of qualifying to the FIFA World Cup next year.
The reverse fixture is in Brazzaville on Tuesday September 5, 2017.
Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Richard Ofori (Martizburg,South Africa), Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Joseph Addo (Aduana FC,Ghana)
DEFENDERS: Harrison Afful (Columbus,USA) Agbenyenu Lumor (Portimonese, Portugal) Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace, England) John Boye (Sivasspor,Turkey), Daniel Amartey (Leicester,England) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew,USA) Nicholas Opoku (Club Africaine, Tunisia), Joseph Attamah (Bakaksehir, Turkey)
MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Andre Ayew (West Ham Utd, England), Kwadwo Poku (Miami FC, USA), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Edwin Gyasi (Aalesund FC, Norway), Gideon Waja (WAFA, Ghana), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo FC, Italy), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Ebenezer Ofori (Stuttgart, Germany), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda, Holland)
FORWARDS: Asamoah Gyan (Kayerispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Swansea, UK), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland)
