Kissi, Awal named in Ghana's starting line up against Mali, Badu axed

Published on: 09 February 2013

Ghana defenders Richard Kissi Boateng and Awal Mohammed have been given their first starts of the Africa Cup of Nations as they have been named in the starting line-up to face Mali in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

For the first time since the tournament started, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has been axed from the starting team as he is not in the first eleven to play the Eagles in Port Elizabeth.

Impressive pocket size midfielder Solomon Asante will also get his first start of the competition as he has also been named in a major shuffling of the Black Stars starting team.

Some of the changes have been necessitated by the absence of two first choice players John Pantsil and Rabiu Mohammed who are not available for the game.

Pantsil has been ruled out of the tournament because of injury while Mohammed has been suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.

Harrison Afful replaces Paintsil at the right-back position while Richard Kissi Boateng will replace the versatile Afful at the left-back.

The central defensive pair of John Boye and Isaac Vorsah are maintained while towering defensive midfielder Mohammed Awal takes the place of Rabiu.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, who has been out of sorts in the last two matches for Ghana in this tournament, has been replaced in the offensive midfield position by Kwadwo Asamoah.

Asante will play as the right winger with Atsu playing in the opposite position.

Captain Asamoah Gyan will play as the key striker with Mubarak Wakaso playing just behind him.

Ghana's line-up: Fatau Dauda, Harrison Afful, Richard Kissi Boateng, John Boye, Isaac Vorsah, Awal Moahmmed, Solomon Asante, Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso.

What do you think of Ghana's starting line-up to face Mali? Has the coach selected the best players for the match? Make your views known in the box below: 

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