[ 2016-11-13 ]

Ghana coach drops THREE players in line-up to face Egypt
Ghana coach Avram Grant has axed three regular
starting players from his starting line-up to face
Egypt on Sunday, handing Agyemang Badu, Daniel
Amartey and Thomas Partey rare starting places in
the side to face the Pharaohs.

Three players, who have been regular since the
Israeli coach took over nearly two years ago, John
Boye, Afriyie Acquah and Frank Achemapong have all
been dropped from the side to face Egypt.

The changes marks a major shake-up in the starting
line-up for the Black Stars as they seek victory
over Egypt in their feared Borg el Arab Stadium in
Alexandria.

The selection is also a marked change for Avram
Grant who has named this unpredictable starting
line up following accusations of 'predictable'
line-ups for Black Stars matches.

Amartey's marterful showing in the previous game
against Uganda earns him the centre-back slot
ahead of Boye whom he partnered at the heart of
the defence in the match in Tamale last month.

With Jonathan Mensah returning from injury, Grant
prefers to partner the Russian-based defender with
the Leicester City youngster who has been calm and
intelligent.

Another player who has been axed is Afriyie Acquah
who has recently come in for criticism over his
role on central midfield with the accusation that
he is unable to move forward to deliver passes to
the strikers of wingers.

As a result Spain-based Partey is prefered ahead
of the Acquah with the Atletico Madrid midfielder
partnering the powerful Mubarak Wakaso in midfield
to destroy the speedy Egyptian attacks.

Acheampong looks to paid the price for his
inability to create chances for the strikers with
the key limitation being unable to join and
protect the marauding Baba Rahman at left-back.

As such Christian Atsu is prefered to play from
the left wing while an unusual position is created
on the right win for Badu who will join in to
crowd the midfield where the Egyptians will be
seeking to exploit.

Captain Andre Ayew will be deployed to play just
behind his brother Jordan Ayew as the lone striker
for the Black Stars in the match.

Harrison Afful will play from the right back
providing the needed cover for regular goalkeeper
Razak Brimah as the Black Stars seek to solidify
their defence and steal the much needed win.

Seven-time African champions Egypt, who are
currently second of their group following Uganda's
1-0 win over Congo, would go five points clear of
Ghana with a win as they bid for their first World
Cup appearance since 1990.

Egypt, who earned a 2-1 comeback victory over
Congo in their opening game, are second in the
group with three points, two ahead of Ghana who
were held to a surprise 0-0 draw at home to Uganda
last month.

Uganda, who earned a vital point after drawing
away with Ghana in the first round, temporarily
lead Group E on four points.

That is because the Cranes defeated Congo 1-0 in
the group's second round of matches on Saturday.

Below is the Ghana line-up:

Razak Brimah- Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Daniel
Amartey, Jonathen Mensah, Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel
Agyemang-Badu, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew , Andre
Ayew, Christian Atsu.

Source - Soccernet

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