Way to go – Akufo-Addo hails Gyan-Appiah peace talk

Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo has commended Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah and striker Asamoah Gyan for smoking the peace pipe after a row.

The president, who intervened during the disagreement, tweeted “Way to go” after the duo met to iron out their differences.

Way to go … 👍🏽🇬🇭🇬🇭 https://t.co/NPOujGjAjo

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 28, 2019

Appiah patched up with his General Captain following a disagreement over the captaincy position. Gyan announced his retirement from the team based on coach Appiah’s decision to take the captain’s armband from him ahead of the 2019 Africa Nations Cup in Egypt.

The band was handed over to his deputy Andre Ayew a day after Gyan had reversed his decision following an intervention by president Akufo-Addo. He was subsequently named the General Captain.

Prior to the team’s departure for pre-tournament training in Dubai on June 1, the striker had met with the Black Stars coach to smoke the peace pipe.

Provisional squad

A 29-man squad in his provisional list for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation scheduled for Egypt, next month.

The 29 consist of three goalkeepers, ten defenders, eleven midfielders and five strikers.

Goalkeepers

Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa, Lawrence Ati- Zigi  (Sochaux, Montbeliard, France), and Felix Annan  (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).

Defenders

John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England), Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe A.S, Turkey),  Kassim Nuhu, (Hoffeinham, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belguim), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Basaksehir, Turkey), and Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)

Midfielders

Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Internazionle, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah  (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew ( Fenerbache, Turkey),  Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain),  Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).

Strikers

Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England),  Abdul Majeed Waris ( Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban  (Trabzonspor, Turkey) and Kwabena  Owusu (Leganes, Spain).

The team will depart Accra, on Saturday, June 1, for pre-tournament preparations in Dubai, ahead of the competition. Of the 29 players, the final 23 will be named to represent Ghana at the tournament.

The GFA Normalization Committee has lined up two high profile preparatory matches for the Black Stars against Namibia and South Africa.

Meanwhile, the following are the additional backroom staff joining the Black Stars technical team for the competition.

They are;

1. Coach David Duncan    (Scout)

2. Coach Didi Mas- Ud Dramani     (Scout)

3. Coach Sellas Tetteh      (scout)

4. Patrick Ofori                   (Psychologist)

5. Samuel Kwame Ankomah     (Masseur)

6. Jermaine Lopia                (Video & match analyst)

7. Simon Copley                   (Physical trainer)

Source: Daily Mail GH