Ghana drop five stars for Cranes game
Flamboyant Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan retained his place in the Black Stars. He is set to line up against Uganda Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa and his defensive partner Isaac Isinde next month. PHOTO BY AFP
What you need to know:
Soccer. Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari are some of the five Ghanaian players dropped for their apparent role in the bonus stand-off in Brazil. Only one of Appiah’s 24-man squad plays his football locally. 10 of Micho’s 25-man team play locally
KAMPALA.
One certainty is that Uganda coach Micho Sredojevic now knows his side will not be contending with the pace of Kevin Prince Boateng or the thunderous left foot of Sulley Muntari.
The midfield duo, together with Michael Essien, Albert Adomah and goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey were the victims when Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah named his 24-man provisional squad a day after Micho named his 25.
Ghana host Uganda on September 6 in Kumasi in the first Group E match of the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Boateng and Muntari were sent home from the Brazil World Cup in disgrace after being involved in alleged altercations.
German-born Boateng was sent home ahead of Ghana’s last group game in Brazil against Portugal after allegedly swearing at Appiah, a charge he denied. Muntari is said to have punched a Ghana FA official in a heated argument over bonus payments. Michael Essien’s omission could also be linked to rare public outburst he had after the tournament at his lack of playing time in Brazil although the midfielder quickly apologized at the time.
Midfielder Adomah and goalkeeper Kwarasey are also said to have played part in the bonus dispute that ended with the Ghanaian government delivering huge sums of money to the team in Brazil in cash.
The named Ghanaian squad, which has only one local based player in goalkeeper Stephen Adams of Aduana Stars, still looks a solid one with France-based Jonathan Mensah (Evian FC) leading from the back, Marseille’s Andre Ayew through the middle, and skipper Gyan Asamoah in attack.
Uganda start training ahead of the Ghana clash on Monday.
Ghana squad
Goalkeepers: Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars), Razak Braimah (Mirandes), Fatau Dauda (Chippa United)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Esperance), Mohammed Awal (Maritzburg United), John Boye (Erciyesspor), Jonathan Mensah (Evian FC), Daniel Opare (FC Porto), Baba Rahman (FC Augsburg), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City)
Midfielders: Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Christian Atsu (Everton), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Yusif Chibsah (Sassuolo), Edwin Gyimah (Black Aces), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Asante Solomon (TP Mazembe), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan)
Forwards: David Accam (Helsingborg), Jordan Ayew (Lorient), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Abdul Majeed Waris (Spartak Moscow).
Uganda squad
Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Bidvest Wits), Robert Odongkara (St George), Benjamin Ochan (SCVU), Brian Bwete (URA)
Defenders: Andy Mwesigwa (FC Ordabasy), Isaac Isinde (St George), Richard Kasagga (KCC), Savio Kabugo (SCVU), Denis Guma (SCVU), Alex Kakuba (Estoril), Godfrey Walusimbi (Gor Mahia), Martin Kiiza (Tusker).
Midfielders: Geoffrey Kizito (Gor Mahia), Khalid Aucho (Tusker), Brian Majwega (KCC), Farouq Miya (Vipers), Tonny Mawejje (Valur), Moses Oloya (Bihn Duong), Kizito Luwagga (Covilhã), Allan Kyambadde (Vipers)
Strikers: Hamis Kiiza (Yanga), Robert Ssentongo (URA), Yunus Ssentamu (AS Vita), Brian Umony (KCC), Geoffrey Massa (Pretoria Tuks)
