Ghana's preliminary squad for the World Cup was revealed on Monday as coach Kwasi Appiah announced his 26-man team. The squad is set to be cut to 23 at the start of June, a few days before the start of the global competition. The list includesChelsea's veteran midfielder MichaalEssien and experienced players such as the team's scorer Asamoah Gyan and AC Milan's forward Sulley Muntari, all of whom played in the Black Stars' two previous World Cup appearances. Ghana's veteran trio keeper Richard Kingson, defender Isaac Vorsah and former captain John Mensah were dropped from the squad despite several reports suggesting they had been recalled. Ghana will have a tough mission in their third participation in the World Cup, as they were handed a very difficult group alongside title contenders Germany, heavyweights Portugal and the United States. Squad Goalkeepers:Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars). Defenders:Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege), Harrison Afful (Esperance), Jeffrey Schlupp (Leicester), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Jerry Akaminko (Kisehirspor), Rashid Sumalia (Mamelodi Sundowns). Midfielders:Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan). Strikers:Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke 04), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux), David Accam (Helsingborg). (For moresports news andupdates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/101102.aspx
