Richmond-Boakye Yiadom must fight for a place in Ghan's AFCOn squad

Several players on the fringes of the Ghana squad will be fighting on Wednesday to get places in the country’s squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Coach Kwesi Appiah has invited several players who have not featured prominently in squad ahead of the friendly against Cape Verde in Portugal.

Key players like Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, John Boye, Isaac Vorsah, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew and goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey have all been left out of the squad for the game in Lisbon.

This means debutants Joseph Duncan of Inter Milan and Awal Mohammed of Maritzburg United are not only pushing for their first caps but the chance to stay in the squad for the Nations Cup in January.

The Black Stars coach will be seeking a partner for striker Asamoah Gyan at the Nations Cup and the options up front will rest on Abdul Majeed Warris and Richmond Boakye Yiadom with both seeking to establish themselves.

Defensive places are also up for grabs as attention focuses on the right and left-back slots.

While Samuel Inkoom and John Paintsil push for the right-back position, the competition for the opposite side, the left-back role remains very fierce.

Richard Kissi Boateng, Nana Kwasi Asare, Lee Addy and David Addy are all attempting to catch Appiah’s eye.

In central defence, Awal Mohammed and Jerry Akaminko could offer the Black Stars coach more options going into a major competition.

Ghana appears well stocked in midfield but for Joseph Duncan, Solomon Asante, Albert Adomah, Mubarak Wakasu, Edwin Gyimah and Afriyie Acquah, it’s an opportunity to prove themselves.

Source: MTNFootball.com