Kwesi Appiah Delighted Over His Return to Black Stars

Black Stars striker Kwesi Appiah says he is happy to be back in the national team fold after a long absence with various injuries in the past.

The England-based player last donned his country’s jersey in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, where he made four appearances and scored a goal as Ghana finished second.

Appiah is expected in Accra next Monday to join the Ghana senior men’s national team as they start training in preparation for their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

The 28-year-old, who currently turns for AFC Wimbledon, could not hide his joy in a Twitter post moments after the list was published on Monday morning.

“Honoured to receive the call-up!,” Appiah’s tweet read. “If God is for us, who can be against us Romans 8:31”

Five debutants including Kotoko duo Kwame Bonsu and Amos Frimpong as well Ernest Asante, Caleb Ekuban and Joseph Aidoo have been included in the 24-man squad.

Captain Asamoah Gyan has been left out for the second time after missing the 1-0 defeat to Kenya in September last year.

The Black Stars will host Harambee Stars on March 23 with the two sides already qualified for the continental showpiece in Egypt.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa) Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana)

Defenders: Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Lumor Agbenyenu ( Göztepe S.K, Turkey) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Amos Frimpong (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Nuhu Kassim (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy) John Boye (Metz,France) Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium)

Midfielders: Andre Ayew ( Fenerbahçe S.K, Turkey) Mubarak Wakaso (Alaves, Spain) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Kwame Bonsu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Ernest Asante ( Al Jazira, UAE) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Alhassan Wakaso ( Vitória S.C, Portugal) Jeffery Schlupp ( Crystal Palace, England), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy)

Forwards: Caleb Ansah Ekuban(Trabzonspor, Turkey) Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) Emmanuel Boateng (Dalian Yifang, China) Kwasi Appiah (AFC Wimbledon, UK)