Schlupp, Acquah and Accam surprise call-ups in Ghana 26-man provisional squad; No Vorsah

By Ing. George-Patrick Bediaku (Follow George-Patrick on Twitter @gpbediaku)

Coach Kwesi Appiah has named a 26-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup and there have been a number of surprise gate-crashers.

Coach Appiah included Leicester City’s Jeffrey Schlupp at left-back, Parma’s Afriyie Acquah in central midfield and Helsingborg’s David Titi Accam as a left midfielder.

The list which was announced at a press conference held at the GFA Headquarters on Monday afternoon did not include Isaac Vorsah and Anthony Annan, whose names were touted as possible returnees to add experience to the team.

The Black Stars will leave for Miami on June 1 for Miami to round up their preparations and face South Korea at the Sun Life Stadium on June 9 and leave for Brazil the next day.

Team Ghana is expected to arrive and train in Maceio on June 11, five days before the opening group game with the U.S.A.

Here is the full 26-man list to be trimmed down to 23 after the Netherlands clash.

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams

Right-backs: Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare

Left-backs: Afful Harrison, Jeffrey Schlupp

Central midfielders: John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Rashid Sumaila, Akaminko Jerry

Central midfielders: Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Rabiu Mohammed, Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Afriyie Acquah

Right midfielders: Christian Atsu, Albert Adomah

Left midfielders: Andre Ayew, Mubarak Wakaso, David Accam

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Majeed Abdul Waris, Jordan Ayew

 

Ghanaian Players Abroad – 2-4 May, 2014: Jordan keeps Sochaux afloat; Rabiu scores first goal; Assifuah also on target

By Ing. George-Patrick Bediaku (Follow on Twitter @gpbediaku)

 

Jordan Ayew came through for Sochaux, scoring the winner to delay any chance of relegation. In Russia, Rabiu Mohammed scored his first ever goal for his new side. Kwadwo Asamoah also won his second Serie A league title in a row, even though Juventus are yet to play.

Ghanaian players who were on the score sheet this weekend: Jordan Ayew, Kwesi Appiah, Rabiu Mohammed, Ebenezer Assifuah-Inkoom, and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.

England

In the Championship, Albert Adomah played the first 45 minutes of Middlesbrough’s last game of the season as they went away to beat Yeovil Town 4-1 on Saturday.

 

In the League Two, Kwesi Appiah (90 mins) scored AFC Wimbledon’s second goal but they lost 2-3 away to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

Italy

In the Serie A, Sulley Muntari came on in the 72^nd minute as AC Milan beat Internazionale Milan 1-0 at home in the city derby on Sunday. Michael Essien was an unused sub.

Isaac Cofie came on in the 17^th minute as Genoa drew 0-0 at home with Bologna on Sunday.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scored his side’s second as Udinese beat Alfred Duncan’s (77 mins) relegation-threatened Livorno 5-3 on Sunday.

Afriyie Acquah played the entire game as Parma hosted and beat Sampdoria 2-0 on Sunday.

 

In the Serie B, Amidu Salifu played the entire game as Modena went away to beat Siena 3-1 on Saturday.

 

 

Germany

In the Bundesliga, Kevin-Prince Boateng played the entire game as 10-man Schalke 04 went away to beat Freiburg 2-0 on Saturday.

Karim Bellarabi played 88 minutes as Eintracht Braunschweiger lost 0-1 at home to Augsburg on Saturday.

 

In the 2 Bundesliga, Abdul Baba Rahman came on in the 76^th minute as Greuther Fürth went away and thrashed bottom Energie Cottbus 6-0 on Sunday.

 

In the 3Liga, Phil Ofosu-Ayeh played the entire game as MSV Duisburg lost 1-4 away to Unterhaching on Saturday.

France

In the Ligue 1, Andre Ayew played the entire game as Olympique Marseille beat Olympique Lyonnais 4-2 at home on Sunday.

Jonathan Mensah came on in the 77^th minute as Evian TG lost 0-1 to Reims on Sunday.

Jordan Ayew (81 minutes) scored the winner as Sochaux hosted and beat Nice 2-0 on Sunday.

Abdul Majeed Waris played the entire game as Valenciennes lost 0-1 at home to Bordeaux on Sunday.

 

Spain

In the La Liga, Richmond Boakye Yiadom played 52 minutes as 9-man Elche went away to beat Málaga 1-0 on Saturday.

 

Netherlands

In the Eredivisie, Vitesse Player of the Year Christian Atsu played the entire game as his side lost 1-2 away at Utrecht on Saturday.

Kwame Quansah played the first 45 minutes as Heracles were beaten 1-4 away at Groningen on Saturday.

 

Belgium

In the Pro League, in feisty a game that saw 4 red cards, Daniel Opare helped 10-man Standard Liège to a 4-1 home win against Zulte-Waregem on Friday.

Bennard Yao Kumordzi played the entire game as Genk lost 1-2 at home to Lokeren on Saturday. 71^st-minute yellow.

Nana Kwesi Asare played the entire game as Gent hosted and beat Lierse 4-0 on Saturday.

Abdul Yakinu Iddi came on in the 82^nd minute as Mechelen beat Cercle Brugge 2-0 at home on Saturday.

Frank Acheampong came on in the 82^nd minute as Anderlecht went away to beat Club Brugge on Sunday.

 

Denmark

In the Superliga, Francis Dickoh played the entire game as leaders Midtjylland beat Vestsjælland 3-1 at home on Sunday.

 

Finland

In the Veikkausliiga, Gideon Baah played the entire game as HJK Helsinki went away to beat VPS 2-0 on Sunday.

 

Norway

In the Eliteserien, Adam Kwarasey kept a clean sheet, Mohammed Abu played the entire game as Strømsgodset beat Bodø / Glimt 2-0 at home on Sunday.

Mahatma Otoo played the entire game as Sogndal lost 0-2 away to Lillestrøm on Sunday.

Ernest Asante played 89 minutes as Start drew 1-1 at home with Brann on Sunday.

 

Portugal

In the Primeira Liga, Barnes Osei came on in the 89^th minute as bottom Paços de Ferreira drew 0-0 away with Rio Ave on Sunday.

David Addy came on in the 72^nd minute as Vitória Guimarães drew 0-0 away with Académica on Sunday.

 

Republic of Ireland

In the Premier Division, Prince Agyemang played 71 minutes as Limerick drew 1-1 away with Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

 

Romania

In the Liga I, Seidu Yahaya played the entire game as Astra Giurgiu drew 0-0 away with Gaz Metan Mediaş on Friday.

 

Russia

In the Premier League, Rabiu Mohammed scored his first goal for Kuban’ Krasnodar, grabbing the winner in a 4-0 home win over Krylya Sovetov on Saturday.

 

South Africa

Mohammed Awal (90 mins) and Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi (60 mins) both missed out on the Cup Final as Maritzburg United lost 1-2 at home to Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

 

Sweden

In the Allsvenskan, Kwame Bonsu played 59 minutes as Mjällby beat King Osei Gyan’s (90 mins) Halmstad 2-1 at home on Saturday.

Mohammed Abubakari played the entire game as Åtvidaberg drew 1-1 at home with Yussif Chibsah’s (on in the 78^th minute) Djurgården on Sunday.

Samuel Mensah came on in the 60^th minute as Örebro lost 0-2 away at Kalmar on Sunday.

 

In the Superettan, Benjamin Fadi played the entire game as Värnamo drew 2-2 away with Hammarby on Sunday.

 

Switzerland

In the Super League, Ebenezer Assifuah-Inkoom (57 mins) scored the winner, Ishmael Yartey came on in the 78^th minute as FC Sion went away to beat Luzern 1-0 on Saturday.

Samuel Afum played the first 42 minutes as 9-man Young Boys were thrashed 0-5 away at Grasshopper on Sunday.

 

Tunisia

In the Ligue 1, Harrison Afful played in Esperance de Tunis’ 1-0 home win over Monastir, to win their 26^th League title on Sunday.

 

Turkey

In the 1Lig, Emmanuel Banahane played the first 45 minutes as Şanlıurfaspor lost 3-4 at home to Orduspor on Sunday.

 

United States of America

In the MLS, Gershon Koffie played the entire game as Vancouver Whitecaps beat SJ Earthquakes 3-2 at home on Sunday.

Patrick Nyarko played 62 minutes as Chicago Fire lost 2-3 at home to Real Salt Lake on Sunday.

Khalif Alhassan came on in the 69^th minute as Portland Timbers beat DC United 3-2 at home on Sunday.

Dominic Oduro came on in the 46^th minute as Columbus Crew lost 0-2 away at Sporting KC.

 

 

Ghanaian Players Abroad – WEEKDAY WRAP – 28 April – 1 May: Accam send’s Helsingborg to final, Gyan grabs another brace, Antwi, Otoo on target

By Ing. George-Patrick Bediaku (Follow on Twitter @gpbediaku)

 

David Accam has been making a strong claim for a break into Kwesi Appiah’s World Cup squad in these past weeks. No, not in the media. On the pitch, where it matters. He scored a great solo goal to send Helsingborg into the final of the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup). Pouncing on a clearance, he went on a blistering run from his own half to plant the ball in the net. And this was in the 92nd minute, after a frantic 90 minutes of play. Fantastic.

As is becoming expected of him, Asamoah Gyan grabbed yet another brace. His 8th brace of the season now sends him to 28 league goals. He is definitely ‘King’ in his Arabian kingdom.

Mahatma Otoo, thankfully, looks to have hit a good vein of scoring form. He was yet again on the scoresheet, even though his side lost.

John Antwi, another suspect, scored his side’s only goal against Zamalek, in their chase for the Egyptian League title. This marked his 11th league goal of the season.

These and more happened during the week. Enjoy.

Monday, April 28.

Raman Chibsah played 78 minutes as Sassuolo lost 1-3 at home to Kwadwo Asamoah’s Juventus.

Francis Dickoh played the entire game as Midtjylland drew 0-0 away with Esbjerg. Davidson Drobo-Ampem was an unused sub for the hosts.

Dennis Appiah played the entire game as Caen went away to beat Angers 2-1.

Rabiu Mohammed came on in the 56th minute as Kuban’ Krasnodar went away to beat Spartak Moskva 2-0.

King Osei Gyan played the entire game as Halmstad were beaten 1-4 away at Elfsborg.

Wednesday, April 30.

Gideon Baah played 80 minutes as HJK went away to beat Haka 3-0 in the #SuomenCup.

Enock Kofi Adu played 85 minutes as Stabæk lost 1-2 away at Sandnes Ulf.

Mohammed Abdul Basit played 61 minutes as Free State Stars drew 1-1 away with Kaizer Chiefs.

Harrison Afful played 70 minutes as leaders Esperance de Tunis went away to beat EGS Gafsa 2-0.

Thursday, May 1.

Kwadwo Asamoah played in Juventus’ 0-0 home draw with Benfica [1-2 AGG], which saw them miss out on the final of the #Europa League Cup. He was shown a yellow card in the 64th minute.

John Antwi’s goal handed Ismaily a 1-0 home win against Zamalek, which saw the home side jump to 2nd on the league log.

Ernest Asante played the entire game as Start lost 0-2 away to leaders Molde.

Adam Kwarasey conceded thrice, Mohammed Abu played the entire game as Strømsgodset lost 0-3 away to Vålerenga.

Mahatma Otoo scored his side’s only goal as Sogndal gave up their lead to lost 1-2 at home to Rosenborg.

David Accam’s 92nd-minute goal ensured a Svenska Cupen final berth for Helsingborg who went away to beat Malmö FF 2-0.

Asamoah Gyan scored yet another brace as Al Ain gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home with Al Jazira. 8th brace. 28 goals.