Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars head coach James Kwesi publicized his final 23-man squad for the fast-approaching 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil.
The only players from Ghana’s golden generation who will be making their third consecutive World Cup appearances are captain Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Ali Muntari after both were included in the final squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals.
Ghana Black Stars celebrate qualification for World Cup 2014 in Brazil
The list was cut down to the final 23 following the friendly with the Netherlands on May 31, which Ghana lost by 1-0 . Leicester City left-back Jeffrey Schlupp, the injured Eskişehirspor defender Jerry Akaminko and Helsingborg attacker David Accam failed to make the cut for this summer’s tournament.
Ghana reached the Copa Mundial by defeating Egypt 7-3 on aggregate in the newly introduced play-offs to record their third straight World Cup qualification.
The Black Stars have been pitted in Group G of the World Cup, alongside three-time world champion Germany, the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal and the promising USA team inspired by experienced former German player and now coach of the Stars and Stripes, Jurgen Klinsmann.
Ghana’s opening game will be against USA in Natal on June 16, followed by Germany on June 21 in Fortaleza then finally against Portugal in Brasilia on June 26.
Ghana Black Stars praying after practice.
Ghana’s final 23-man roster:
Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Rashid Sumaila
Midfielders: Michael Essien, Rabiu Mohammed, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Albert Adomah, Mubarak Wakaso, Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Ebenezer Afriyie Acquah
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Abdul Majeed Waris, Jordan Ayew