Soccer News of Tuesday, 18 March 2008

Source: ghanafa.

Le Roy names team for Mexico match

Claude Le Roy has handed debut call ups to three players with two from the domestic OneTouch Premier League for Ghana’s March 26 friendly with Mexico in London.

The newcomers to the Black Stars are, Prince Buaben(pictured), Richard Manu and Eric Bekoe for the game against the Mexicans at the Craven Cottage.

Buaben, who turns 20 next month plays for Dundee United joined the Scottish side from the Ajax Amsterdam at the beginning of the season.

The domestic league’s leading scorer, Eric Bekoe makes the 18-man team announced by the Black Stars coach for the match.

Bekoe, who scored his 11th goal in the league on Sunday and Kotoko teammate, Richard Manu, a central defender, both earn their first senior call ups after an impressive run in their debut season for the Porcupine Warriors.

The international friendly game to be played in London on March 26 would be the first match for Ghana, bronze medalist at the Nations Cup, since their elevation to their status as Africa’s best footballing team.

The match would be the second international game between both sides after their March 2006 friendly in the United States, which the Mexicans won by a lone goal.

Ghana will use the game as one the preparatory matches toward the 2010 World Cup and African Nations qualifiers which begins later in June.

Ghana Team

Goalkeepers:

Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England) and Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold, Ghana)

Defenders:

John Paintsil (West Ham, England), John Mensah (Rennes, France), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Richard Manu and Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)

Midfielders:

Anthony Annan (Stabaek, Norway), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France) Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland)

Strikers:

Eric Bekoe (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain) Prince Buaben (Dundee Utd, Scotland)