![](https://www.ghananews247.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/k-asamoah-gh.jpg)
Talisman Kwadwo Asamoah has been named in Ghana’s 23-man squad after a four-year absence for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya while Andre and Jordan Ayew as well as Captain Asamoah Gyan have been dropped from the team, unconfirmed reports have revealed.
The leaked document also shows that Coach Kwesi Appiah will name three debutantes Obeng Reagan, Joseph Aidoo and Ernest Ohemeng for the match to be played in Nairobi.
For the first time in many years all the players including the goalkeepers play for foreign clubs but with domestic football grounded by government coach Appiah will not be criticized.
The list is made up of players who are playing regularly for their clubs abroad and who have recently played for the Black Stars in their friendlies.
Some other notable exclusions are Mubarak Wakaso, Jeffery Schlupp, John Boye, Albert Adomah as they will not be called for the match on 8 September.
Spain-based midfielder Emmanuel Boateng was included in the squad even though he is recovering from an injury that he won’t recover in time, raising eyebrows over the squad’s veracity.
Reagan plays for Inter Zapresic in Croatia while 22-year-old Ohemeng recently signed for Spanish Segunda B side CD Mirandes.
Aidoo is a top defender in the Belgium top-flight for Genk and has won many awards for his performances in the Belgian top-flight since last season.
Inter Milan midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has not played for the Black Stars since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil citing injuries but he recently revealed that he will be returning to the squad.
As such the leaked document might have some legs to stand on as coach Kwesi Appiah has been keen on the return of the midfielder to the fold.
The exclusion of the Ayew brothers will raise concerns over the relationship between duo and Coach Kwesi Appiah.
While supporters of coach Appiah says he wants to instill discipline in the squad the backers of the Ayews says the trainer and a long-standing axe to grind with the players.
Captain Asamoah Gyan is yet to hit his top form in Turkey which might have resulted in his exclusion but his pre-season form suggests he could make a meaningful contribution to the team.
Kenya have come up against the Black Stars 8 times, with the West Africans emerging victorious on four occasions with two matches drawn.
Harambee Stars’ only win against Ghana came in an international friendly match in 2003 played at Accra Sports Stadium.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia will host Sierra Leone in the other Group F encounter on Friday, September 9.
The 32nd edition of the tournament is set to be held in Cameroon between 12 January and 3 February 2019.
Kick-off is at 15:00 (EAT).
Full 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa) Lawrence Ati Zigi ( Sochaux, France)
Defenders: Andy Kyere Yiadom (Reading,England ), Rashid Sumaila (Red Star Belgrade,Serbia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City,England), Nicholas Opoku (Udinese,Italy ), Kasim Nuhu (Hoffenheim,Germany), Joseph Aidoo (KRC Genk, Belgium ), Lumor Agbeyenu (Sporting Lisbon,Portugal)
Midfielders: Afriyie Acquah (Torino ,Italy ), Alfred Joseph Duncan (Sassuolo,Italy ), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid,Spain), Edwin Gyasi(CSKA Sofia,Bulgaria), Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Nana Ampomah (Waasland Beveren,Belgium ), Christian Atsu (Newcastle,England ), Obeng Reagan (Inter Zapresic,Croatia ), Ernest Ohemeng (CD Mirandes, Spain ), Isaac Sackey (Alanyaspor,Turkey)
Strikers: Emmanuel Boateng (Levante,Spain ), Raphael Dwamena (Levante,Spain), Kwasi Okyere Wreidt(Bayern Munich,Germany), Frank Acheampong(Tianjin Teda, China)
Story by Sammy Heywood Okine