Chris Hughton submits 55-man Ghana AFCON squad

Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has submitted a preliminary 55-man Black Stars squad list to CAF for the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. The list will be pruned down before the tournament kicks off 24 days from today.

Ghana hopes to improve on its last appearance where it exited at the hands of Comoros when the Stars ended last in their group. Many are also hoping that the 41-year wait for the trophy will end, though that may be a huge call on the current team.

In the list submitted to CAF are regular names such as the Ayew brothers; Jordan and Andre, Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey and Salis Abdul Samed among others. A good number of players have been called from the Ghana Premier League with reigning champions Medeama SC presenting the most.

Striker Jonathan Sowah, Hamidu Abdul Fatawu and Abdulai Nurudeen lead the Medeama contingent with Derrick Fordjour and Felix Kyei both joining the ensemble. FA Cup champions Dreams FC has John Doku Antwi and Godfred Kingsley Atuahene in the cast while Accra Great Olympics duo of Emmanuel Antwi and Benjamin Asare also make the list. Asante Kotoko’s Richmond Lamptey and Nations FC Razak Simpson are the others who complete the Ghana-based contingent.

Meanwhile, Richard Ofori of Orlando Pirates and Wontah Hafiz Konkoni are the other representatives of African clubs in the squad. Yaw Yeboah’s prominence in Columbus Crews’ recent victory in the MLS Cup has earned him a place in the squad, the only representative from the American Major Soccer League.

Benard Tekpetey, Tariq Lamptey, Baba Abdul Rahman, Andy Yiadom, Alexander Djiku and Benjamin Tetteh are all back in the fold following recent brief spells outside. Additionally, Chris Hughton has shortlisted AS Monaco centre-back Mohammed Salis in the squad. The touring defender would be hoping to make a huge return for the tournament after a long spell out due to injury.