Atsu will start in Mubarak Wakaso's place in Ghana's starting line-up
Ghana coach named talented youngster Christian Atsu in his starting line-up to replace Mubarak Wakaso in Monday’s Group B Africa Cup of Nations match against Niger.
The inclusion of the Portugal based youngster is the only change in coach Kwesi Appiah’s starting team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations decisive game in Port Elizabeth.
Atsu takes over from Wakaso who has been suspended from the match because of the accumulation of yellow cards.
Atsu’s inclusion means Kwadwo Asamoah will be deployed on the left-wing as he is capable of excelling in that position better than the youngster.
Wakaso worked tirelessly in Ghana’s previous matches in that position by falling back to help the midfielders and Asamoah is the man to do that job.
Atsu is likely to play behind striker Asamoah Gyan to provide some creativty in the middle of the midfield.
Impressive goalkeeper Fatau Dauda maintain his place in the starting team while Kwadwo Asamoah will continue to play in the offensive position unlike the first match against DR Congo when he play as a left-back.
Isaac Vorsah and John Boye will provide the necessary protection in the centre of defence for Dauda while John Paintsil and Harrisson Afful will maintain their right and left back positions respectively.
Workaholic Rabiu Mohammed and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu will play in the heart of the defensive midfield while Atsu will play just behind lone striker Gyan.
Albert Adomah will play on the right wing while Asamoah will take the other side of the pitch to create some chances for Gyan.
Ghana will top Group B if they win the match in Port Elizabeth and they will stay in that city for the quarter finals.
Ghana’s starting line-up: Fatau Dauda, John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Isaac Vorsah, Rabiu Mohammed, Albert Adomah, Agyemang Badu, Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu, Kwadwo Asamoah.
Do you think Christian Atsu is the right man to take over from Mubarak Wakaso? Make your views known on this and other players in the starting line-up. Please type your views in the box below
Good Selection but Is Afful a natural left? Do we have natural Leftbacks in the team or rightfooted Afful plays better than them all at the Leftback position? somebody answer.
I think I read somewhere that he indeed is one out of two natural left backs in the squad, yes.
Good selection Coach Kwasi Appiah! We can make it by beating Niger 2 goals to nil….
Go Ghana!!!
Afful will make it today!!! I like the selection
Great team to win the cup in JESUS NAME. AMEN.
cooling contol give me ur number for cooling business! though i am still disgusted by the attitude of AA with the exclusion of the Ayews, i still wish the team the very best because Ghana is indeed way bigger than him!
Coach Appiah means business he has put together a solid squad to top the group. I am positive today Gyan will get some goals.
JUS OPIN ASTU GERS A GRT DAY. “TEAMGHANA” UP
Until Ghana makes the following selection for future tournaments, Ghana will get nowhere
1. Dauda (Kwarasey, Agyei)
2. Essien (Paintsil)
3. K. Asamoah ( Opare)
4. Boye (Vorsah)
5. John Mensah( J’thn Mensah)
6. E. Frimpong ( Anan)
7. K. P. Boateng
8. Badu (Derek B)
9. Gyan ( Jordan, Yiadom)
10. Dede (Atsu)
11. Muntari ( Wakaso)
If KPB will not play he can be replaced with Atsu at 7 and then we can include Afriyie Aquah in the squad.
Idiot! What coaching experience do you have? Nothing so, shut up and go back to your 2X4 job you miserable cunt!!
hahaha are you living in lala land??? most of these players you mentioned arent even in the squad
NONSENSE
now that’s what I call a world cup squad.
They are justa a great bunch of names. Nobody knows how this starting eleven would perform!
Jungle man, u figa say man craze? Bombotwerp!
WHY DON’T WE SWITCH TO THE 4-3-3 WITH THIS PLAYERS RATHER TO MAKE THINGS MORE FLEXIBLE AND POTENT UPFRONT FOR US
agree we need to have more than one striker up front! atsu in my opinnion is not a striker but a mid-fielder. appiah should have at least included clottey since yiadom is injured
Appiah should make MORE CHANGES. Gyan Badu Asamoah and Boye have to rest a little bit, and Clottey Boateng Asante and Mensah have to play before the big games coming
this is also a big game remember we have not qualified yet
We simply need solid midfield play. Play defense together and play offense together. This is the key to success.
Believe me,I think Derek Boateng would have been a better choice behind Asamoah Gyan. That is his natural role but has somewhat found himself playing more defensive.
i think Atsu must play at the back of gyan…
i still dont understand why larson is still benched? Cos of what ? Can someone tell me please… The guy nearly had a red card for some silly unprofessional foul n still gets the praise for what? I am not impressed a bit about his performance @ all
we need a new keeper dada comes rushing out for scary too often
You coulde have sacrefise Atu or Adomah for D.B because we just need draw so our middlefield can be strong please
Wakaso’s absence was a blessing for Atsu he was able to shine and prove that he is as good as the hype. He is good for 90 minutes. Dede’s absence is a blessing for Atsu, this humble good character guy belongs with the Black Stars. It does not matter how good you think you are, humble yourself and let God raise you up.
I think regardless of the outcome of this AFCON 2013 the Coaching and Technical staff have proved that they are qualified to take Ghana all the way to the World Cup.
The player selection and the chemistry among the players at camp is impressive. It will get even better with World Cup qualifying. This is a young squad but they are very mature in soccer years and are getting the job done.