Ghana’s all-time top scorer Asamoah Gyan has been invited in the Black Stars squad for this month’s back-to-back games against Sierra Leone in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 32-year old returns having last played for the Black Stars in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Congo in September last year.
His recall has been met with divided opinions as on one side, the Stars have struggled for goals in his absence, while on the other side, his game time of just 34 minutes for Turkish side Kayserispor so far this season raises concerns about his fitness and sharpness.
Gyan is not the only returnee on the 23-man roster as coach James Kwesi Appiah has also called up club team mate Bernard Mensah, Deportivo Alaves midfielder Mubarak Wakaso, Hibernian winger Thomas Agyepong, Red Star Belgrade striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah, who last earned an invitation in 2017.
Inter Milan star Kwadwo Asamoah and Atletico Madrid ace Thomas Teye Partey also keep their places in the team.
The Ayew brothers – Andre and Jordan – are once again overlooked, as is Crystal Palace utility man Jeffrey Schlupp.
While Levante forward Emmanuel Boateng returns for national duty after missing September’s 1-0 loss to Kenya, his club mate Raphael Dwamena, who was heavily criticized for missing chances in the said game, is not on the latest list.
TSG Hoffenheim centre-back Kasim Adams and Deportivo Alaves winger Patrick Twumasi miss out due to injury. Tianjin Teda attacker Frank Acheampong and New York City FC midfielder Ebenezer Ofori are also not on the roster.
Ghana, who, like the rest of the three teams in Group F, have three points to their name after two rounds of matches, host Sierra Leone on October 11, four days before the return fixture in Freetown.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Lawrence Ati Zigi (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders : Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Reading FC, England), Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), John Boye (FC Metz, France), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)
Midfielders : Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Bernard Mensah (Kayserispor, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)
Forwards : Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Majeed Waris (FC Nantes, France), Emmanuel Boateng (Levante, Spain), Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)
