Sports News of Monday, 18 March 2019

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Black Stars begin camping today ahead of Kenya clash

Black Stars in training at the Accra Sports Stadium Black Stars in training at the Accra Sports Stadium

The Black Stars of Ghana will begin camping today ahead of their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Kenya on March 23, 2019.

Both teams have already qualified for the tournament to be held in Egypt but the battle will be for who tops the group in this encounter.

Ghana will also be looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat to the Harambee Stars in Nairobi, Kenya in the first leg.

Twenty-four players have been invited by Kwesi Appiah to begin preparations for the game on Saturday. Three local players from Asante Kotoko make up the squad and they will join the team on Tuesday when they return from Zambia.

The other 21-foreign-based players are expected to join the team today and our check indicates that some of the players arrived in the country last night.

The game will come off at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah, the National Sports Authority boss Patrick Twumasi and Head coach Kwesi Appiah were at the venue over the weekend to inspect the facilities and the readiness of the pitch for the crucial game.

Meanwhile, players of the national U-23 side the Black Meteors will also be in action on March 23 at the same venue.

The Black Meteors will take on Gabon in the U-23 AFCON qualifier. Coach Ibrahim Tanko has invited about 11 foreign based players to augment his squad ahead of the clash.

The foreign based players are also expected to join the team today from their various bases across Europe.

Below is the 24-man list of the Black Star players to begin camping today

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa) Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)

Defenders: Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Lumor Agbenyenu ( Göztepe S.K, Turkey) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Amos Frimpong (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Nuhu Kassim (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy) John Boye (Metz,France) Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium)

Midfielders: Andre Ayew ( Fenerbahçe S.K, Turkey) Mubarak Wakaso (Alaves, Spain) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Kwame Bonsu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Ernest Asante ( Al Jazira, UAE) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Alhassan Wakaso ( Vitória S.C, Portugal) Jeffery Schlupp ( Crystal Palace, England), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy)

Forward: Caleb Ansah Ekuban(Trabzonspor, Turkey) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China) Kwasi Appiah (AFC Wimbledon, UK)