Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan named in Ghana's line-up to face Mali

Published on: 28 January 2012

Udinese star Kwadwo Asamoah has been named in Ghana's starting line-up to face Mali in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations game on Saturday, as predicted by GHANAsoccernet.com.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who was doubtful for the match in Franceville because of an ankle injury was also named in Black Stars starting team.

Italy-based natural left-back Massawudu Alhassan also makes the team that battles the Eagles at the Stade de Franceville in Saturday's game.

The skillful midfielder,  Asamoah, who has excelled for his Italian club so far this season, was left out of the opening game against Botswana on Tuesday.

But he makes his way into the starting line-up as he replaces Jordan Ayew in the Black Stars' starting team.

This means Coach Goran Stevanovic has dropped the younger Ayew who could not break through in the opening Group D game against Botswana.

Samuel Inkoom who played in a make-shift left-back position is also relegated to the bench.

Jonathan Mensah steps in to replace suspended John Mensah who was red-carded in the Black Stars' opening game against Botswana.

The changes in the squad is meant to add more bite to the Black Stars midfield as a heated scramble for the ball in expected in the middle of the pitch.

This is also meant to improve supplies for striker Asamoah Gyan who was hardly fed with passes in their opening game.

Adam Kwarasey, John Paintsil, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew, Anthony Annan, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Asamoah Gyan all maintain their places in the starting line-up for the probables.

Ghana’s starting XI against Mali:

Adam Kwarasey, Massawudu Alhassan, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, John Paintsil, Andre Ayew, Anthony Annan, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan.

What do you think of the starting line-up to face Mali?

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