Asamoah Gyan recalled to Ghana squad

Asamoah Gyan

Tuesday Oct 02, 2018. 09:00

Veteran forward Asamoah Gyan has been recalled to the Ghana squad ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

The Black Stars will host their fellow West Africans in Kumasi for a Group F clash next week Thursday (October 11) before the return game in Freetown four days later.

Ghana are top of the pool but only on goal difference, with all four teams (the other two are Kenya and Ethiopia) on three points.

Gyan’s recall is something of a surprise, with the 32-year-old having seen only 34 minutes of action in the Turkish Super Lig with Kayserispor in the 2018/19 season.

However, the striker has a superb international record and his return of 51 goals in 106 senior appearances for Ghana makes him the Black Stars’ all-time leading scorer.

Also returning to the 23-man squad are Deportivo Alaves midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and Columbus Crew centre-back Jonathan Mensah, but Andre and Jordan Ayew remain out in the cold, with coach James Kwesi Appiah ignoring appeals for their recall.

Ghana’s 23-man 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).