... Essien & Kuffour Missing
Ghana will miss the services of defender Sammy Kuffour and midfielder Michael Essien for their crucial World Cup qualifier against the DR Congo on 27 March.

The two players were excluded from the 22-man squad released on Monday for the match in Kinshasa.

While Kuffuor, the Bayern Munich defender, is reported to be nursing an injury, Lyon midfielder Essien is suspended.

He received yellow card in previous qualifiers against South Africa and DR Congo.

"These are two of the three big players we have and their absence is a big blow for us," Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic told BBC Sport.

"But we have some young players who are ready to take up the challenge in this difficult match and we will succeed."

The 58-year-old former coach of Rwanda recalled defender Hans Adu Sarpei, who plays for German side Wolfsburg and Matthew Amoah.

Amoah, who plays for Vitesse Arnhem in Holland, has been absent from the Black Stars for over three years.

Dujkovic also called up Hearts of Oak's uncapped striker and goalkeeper Louis Agyemang and Mohammed Sannie.

The team will camp in Kenya next week, before flying to DR Congo.

Ghana share second place with the Congolese in Group Two but are a point behind leaders South Africa, who have nine points.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak), George Owu (Asante Kotoko), Mohammed Sannie (Hearts of Oak) Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpei (Wolfsburg, Germany) John Painstil (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) Issah Ahmed (Asante Kotoko), Kofi Amponsah (unattached), John Mensah (Chievo Verona, Italy), Emmanuel Pappoe (Moadan Sport Ashdod, Israel), Emmanuel Osei (Livorno,Italy)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Juventus, Italy), Sulley Ali Muntari, (Udinese, Italy) Yakubu Abubakari (Vitesse Arnhem) Laryea Kingston (Krylya Sovetov, Russia), Yusif Chipsah (Asante Kotoko), Hamza Mohammed (Real Tamale United)

Forwards: Matthew Amoah, (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland), Godwin Attram (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Eric Gawu (King Faisal Babies), Kwadwo Poku (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Asamoah Gyan (Modena, Italy), Louis Agyemang (Hearts of Oak).