Black Stars named their provisional squad of 30 for World Cup. Several youngsters for the country’s U20 World Cup winning squad were named in the team alongside Chelsea’s Michael Essien, who is a major injury doubt, as well as John Mensah of Sunderland and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu who are all struggling with injuries.
Milovan Rajevac, Ghana’s head coach, this Friday released a 30-man list ahead of the World Cup.
No big surprise in this pre-list, with the exception of yet-to-be Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng.
The Portsmouth player, who is awaiting the formalization of his nationality switch, is named in a 30-man squad that will be cut to 23 at the end of the month, in time for the start of the finals on 11 June.
Also making the squad are long term injured Michael Essien, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and John Mensah, who are recovering from injury. Four locally-based players earned places in the team with three of them being goalkeepers.
Speaking to www.ghanafa.org about his work ahead of the announcement of the squad, Rajevac said: “Of course, I have been monitoring my team. It hasn’t been easy. A lot of work has been going on during this important period. Some of my tour to see the players had to be in the car or on the road because of the volcanic ash in Europe.
“I have seen everything for myself and my assistant – Kwesi Appiah – has also been watching some of the players. We have options in the goalkeeping area. The trainer – Edward Ansah – is doing his job; we discussed and picked the best.
“And I have confidence in all the players.
“I would like the good people of Ghana to say goodbye to us, I mean a nice farewell as we leave for an important period in Paris.
“And from May 24, I hope we can have a good preparation with all the players.
“One important thing is that we can start our preparations with high spirits,” Rajevac told the FA’s official website.
Ghana will face Serbia, Australia and three-time champions Germany in Group D of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The provisional Ghana squad for 2010 World Cup is:
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Stephen Aholu, Stephen Adams
Defenders: John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Hans Adu Sarpei, Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah, Eric Addo
Midfielders: Michael Essien, Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew, Laryea Kingston, Derek Boateng, Bernard Kumordzi, Haminu Draman
Attackers: Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Mathew Amoah
