John Mensah, Paintsil dropped from latest Ghana squad
John Mensah
The 29-year-old appears to have rightfully paid the price for his club inactiveness following his contract termination with Olympique Lyon in July.
The strong defender was however not the only casualty as experienced right-back John Paintsil was also overlooked despite his return to regular first team action for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The 31-year-old has played all but one game after returning to Israel this summer.
His omission from the latest squad is thus puzzling as coach Akwasi Appiah indicated his preference for experienced players who are playing regularly upon his appointment as head coach of the side.
Paintsil’s place will be taken surprisingly by Samuel Inkoom who is yet to feature for his club Dnipro this season.
The full compliment of the invited 24-man squad is expected to converge in Accra after their weekend’s club engagements.
Ghana will host Malawi in the first leg of the ultimate qualifier for the finals which will be hosted by South Africa early next year on October 8.
The team will then travel Monrovia to play a friendly game with Liberia three days later ahead of the second leg on October 15.
Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromgodset, Norway), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea), Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold)
Defenders: Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Razak Nuhu (Stromgodset, Norway), Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), John Boye (Rennes, France), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), Rashid Sumaila (Kotoko)
Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Osasuna, Spain), Isaac Coffie (Chievo, Italy), Derek Boateng (Dnipro, Ukraine), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Christian Atsu (Porto, Portugal), Solomon Asante (Berekum Chelsea), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France)
Strikers: Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France), Boakye Yiadom (Juventus, Italy), Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea), Abdul Majeed Warris (Hacken, Sweden), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE).
Source Ghana Soccer
Category: Soccer
