Goalkeepers:
Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic, England): The continent’s number one goalkeeper undoubtedly would make up the squad for the match in Bamako and already a starter as the day grows near. A couple of English Premier League matches, most notably against Manchester United at the JJB Stadium, has shone the lights once more on the strengths and qualities of ‘’Olele’’. Quick dashes, brilliant reflex saves and a commanding figure in the Black Star team set-up made him a fan’s favorite during the 2006 Germany World Cup mundial and the African Cup of Nations in Accra last year. An assured start on Milo’s team sheet.
William Amamoo (Etasaalat, Egypt): The Etasaalat number one goalkeeper has been one the most consistent Ghanaian player playing his trade outside the shores of Ghana. Such have been his brilliant performances in the Egyptian League so much that his club is refusing to release in time for our crucial match against the Malians on July 7. A better goalkeeper than most people give him credit for.
George Owu (Al Masry, Egypt): The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold goalie has made promising strides in the Egyptians League this season. One of the most consistent players in the Al Masry team set-up and obviously one of the most experienced players in the Black Star team as well. Lots of team character under his belt and a commanding figure like Richard when is the posts except that he takes very little notice of his back four’s lapses.
Defenders:
John Pantsil (Fulham, England): Ghana’s best player this season. Pantsil has some bags of nerves to go the somewhat unachievable status of playing 37 English Premier League matches. Dynamic at the back, solid on the counter attack and very strong in his challenges and when on the ball. It’s no surprising news to hear Roy Hougson describe the former Berekum Arsenal lad as ‘’one of his highly rated stars this season’’. Obviously a much needed bite to the Black Star cherry.
Samuel Inkoom (Asante Kotoko, Ghana): To the legion of soccer-passionate fans especially in Kumasi, Inkoom makes another celebrated walk into the Black Star team. Inkoom, who is headed for the Swiss league to play for FC Basel next season, has shown not only to his peers and fans-alike that he is ready for the national cause. Plays his heart out every time he puts on the national colours. A commanding performance by the right back at the Under-20 African Championship in Rwanda.
Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana): The best left back in the country now. It’s no surprise that he has been included in the squad for the trip to Mali. The former Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord lad even though has fallen below the standards that saw him dispatch Hans Adu Sarpie, still has lots of playing time in him. A much-needed inclusion in the team.
John Mensah (Lyon, France): Sometime past, a hot commodity of the radar’s of English Premiership clubs especially Wigan Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur. A firm and loyal footballer, experienced, strong and increasingly confident on the pitch. The Black Star assistant skipper hasn’t enjoyed much playing time at Lyon not because they doubt his footballing techniques but due to his injury-plagued season. The ‘’Rock of Gibraltar’’ has a point to prove surely like Milo rightly said.
Jonathan Mensah (Free State Stars, South Africa): A superb performance from the young star when he played in the Under-20 team that won the gold medal at the Under-20 African Championship last year. A super-resistant player with unending tactical abilities which makes Milo’s back four a bit more balanced with his addition.
Jonathan Quartey (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa): I watched him play Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes during the Vodafone Tournament in the off-season last year which Manchester United was a part. He struck to his instructions and made a lasting impression on the minds of every Ghanaian soccer-loving fan who had the chance to watch the match. A quality inclusion to the team.
Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland): The most experienced player in this current Black Star team. A vastly traveled player and his inclusion bring a bit of stability to the Bamako squad. The former PSV Eindhoven player even though isn’t a defender has played hit hearts out any time that he has been asked to fill the void that’s left behind. A far better player to keep the likes of Seydou Keita and Frederic Kanoute at bay.
Midfielders:
Daniel Yeboah (Heart of Lions, Ghana): He made the headlines of every newspaper and was the top of every news item on the airwaves after his commanding performance against Lesotho in the joint 2010 South Africa World Cup and Angola Qualifiers at the Essipong Stadium in Takoradi. The former Liberty Professional midfielder is a Milo’s sure bet for the squad. I admire most his charming resilience in the middle of the park.
Rahim Ayew (Eleven Wise, Ghana): What more needs to be said about this chap? A combination of electric pace and an eye for the killer pass. Rahim’s driving runs being a different element, his ball winning adds to his solidity and his passes, which rarely leave the ground, can be devastation. The Eleven Wise player made strong head waves during and after the maiden CHAN Tournament in Cote D’Ivoire because of his instincts to knowing where to run with the ball.
Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany): Isaac Vorsah has been the package of the season in as much as Hoffeinham has been the revelation of the Bundes Liga season. A truly committed player whose footballing skills could have a telling effect on the Black Star team.
Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France): After a short stint in the Egyptian League, Narry has become the backbone of the Auxerre team in the Ligue 1 Championship this year. A combination of class and talent. Wonderful addition to our soccer national team.
Stephen Appiah (Unattached): The sheer quality of this man’s passes and team commitment is what has kept him in the team even though he is club less at the moment. He is renowned for being a master on the field who shows no reticence in bossing his team around. He is the nucleus of the team irrespective of the impressions you might have of him now. Appiah indeed is the Black Star enforcer. He might lack match fitness but his training sessions with Brescia must do him a lot of good.
Michael Essien (Chelsea, England): The winner of Chelsea’s Goal of the Season would have a large part to play in the ‘’Battle of Bamako’’. Obviously, the strongest link in the much celebrate trio (Sulley and Appiah being the others) at the World Cup. Charismatic and unordinary gifted, Essien has drawn a lot of adoration from a fan base that is not restricted to men nor sports fans. He is one of those rare individuals whose play on the field no one begrudges.
Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway): A debut against the Brazil national team in Stockholm, Sweden was the running point of the former Hearts of Oak and Hasaacas diminutive midfielder. A much-improved player and a sure of a starting berth in the Bamako contest.
Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy): The former Pompey player has turned out worthy of the 13 million pounds Jose Mourinho slashed out to get him on the Inter Milan team sheet last year. The quality of his free kicks and his unending ability to wrestle for any loose balls makes him a favourite to start in the match on July 7.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy): Started off the bench prior to the start of the Serie A season but has made modest strides in the Udinese team ever since. A quick feet and more of the Ghanaian-version of Joe Cole.
Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios FC, Greece): The former Meteors’ assistant skipper has proven a worthy call up concerning his team out put in the Greece Super League.
Prince Buabeng (Dundee United, Scotland): Glad to finally have Buabeng back to the team after he had short stint with the senior national team. A starter in the Dundee United set-up and a wonderful chap to watch. Milo heard of my cry for his inclusion I guess.
Yusif Chibsah (Gefle, Sweden): Once the midfield general of a growing Ghanaian generation of stars. After skippering the Black Meteors’ at the Athens Olympic Games in Greece, Chibsah fell off the pedal a bit but is back to his best after a couple of decent performances for Gefle SC in the Swedish League.
Derek Boateng (FC Koln, Germany): Sheer luck eluded Derek as he is injured and so cant feature in our two matches.
Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar) : Little knowledge about him but hear he is a wonderful chap.
Haminu Draman (FC Locomotive Moskva, Russia): A good addition as always. Remember the horror and torture he went through prior to the mundial in Germany? Now he is a much-improved player and a worthy inclusion to the team.
Strikers:
Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France): If there is any Ghanaian sports personality who has been worst hit by injuries much more than Asamoah, I would love to know. His first season with Ligue 1 club Rennes hasn’t been the best. Hoping that he comes back with a bang to make all of us proud.
Mathew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland): The NAC Breda striker was before the Junary transfer session Ghana’s most brilliant footballer. A good part of the cherry now I guess.
Samuel Yeboah (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel): A great addition. After proving to all that he was a quality player during his days with Hearts of Lions, Sam has held high the flag of Ghana on the Israeli league
Prince Tagoe (Al-Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia) : His goal scoring rate in the Saudi League leaves Milo with little option than to include the ‘’prince of goals’’ in his squad. Getting the fans to scream and shout his name hasnt come on a silver platter. Prince has worked hi way through and he deserves every bit of the call up.
Joe Tex Frimpong (BSC Young Boys, Switzerland): Quality addition. After winning two CAF Champions League with Enyimba of Nigeria, Joe Tex hasnt been the fearsome striker we know him to be. But trust that he would make the best out of this situation.
Papa Arko (El Geish, Egypt): After winning the goal-king this season with El Geish in the Egyptian League, former Liberty Professional’s player, Papa Arko had every right to be in this team. A wonderful inclusion, Milo.
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