Zamalek midfielder Rahim Ayew will be part of Ghana's squad for next month's African Cup of Nations finals in Angola. The tough-tackling midfielder, who joined Zamalek in the close season, was named in a 23-man squad announced by Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac on Friday. Ayew has been used mainly as a substitute since his summer arrival but his versatility gives Zamalek plenty of options. He played in several positions under French coach Henri Michel and his successor Hossam Hassan but is yet to establish himself as a regular starter. There was no room for Petrojet's in-form striker Eric Bekoe in Ghana's squad despite his impressive displays in the Egyptian Premier League. The 21-year-old is the league's top scorer with 10 goals. Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari was omitted, apparently because of disciplinary problems with Rajevac. Veteran midfielder Steven Appiah and Laryea Kingston will miss out due to injury. Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month, made the squad. Four-time winners Ghana will face fierce competition to reach the Nations Cup quarter-final after being drawn with Ivory Coast, Togo and Burkina Faso in Group B. Ghana squad: Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan, England), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak, Ghana) Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland) Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany) John Mensah (Sunderland, England), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana) Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia) Midfielders: Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt) Michael Essien (Chelsea, England) Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria, Italy), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France) Andre Ayew (Arles-Avagnon, France) Strikers: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad FK, Norway) Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)