Ghana's Blacks Stars mix youth and experience

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, May 12, 2014

[WORLD CUP 2014] Ghana, which opens against the USA on June 16 at the World Cup, named a provisional roster loaded with familiar names from past meetings with the USA at the World Cup. But what is notable about head coach Kwesi Appiah's squad is that 15 of the 26 players are 24 or younger.

Kevin Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan, whose goals gave the Black Stars a 2-1 overtime win in 2010 return, as does veteran Michael Essien, who started against the USA when the Black Stare eliminated it with a 2-1 win in group play at the 2006 finals.

The 26 players represent clubs in 14 countries. Five players play in France and Italy. All but one player, goalkeeper Stephen Adams, plays abroad.

Like the USA, Ghana will play its final warmup match in Florida before heading to Brazil. After a match at the Netherlands May 31, the Black Stars will face South Korea June 9 in Miami Gardens.

Ghana Roster (26 players):
Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset/NOR), Fatua Dauda (Orlando Pirates/RSA), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)
Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (FC Dnipro/UKR), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege/BEL), Jonathan Mensah (Evian/FRA), Harrison Afful (Esperance/TUN), Jeff Schlupp (Leicester City/ENG), John Boye (Rennes/FRA), Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspo/TUR), Rashid Sumaila (Mamelodi Sundowns/RSA)
Midfielders: Sulley Muntari (AC Milan/ITA), Wakaso Mubarak (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar/RUS), Michael Essien (AC Milan/ITA), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese/ITA), Afriyie Acquah (Parma/ITA), Andre Ayew (Marseille/FRA), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus/ITA), Christian Atsu (Vitesse/NED), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough/ENG), David Titi Accam (Helsingborg/SWE).
Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Sochaux/FRA), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes/FRA), Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain/UAE), Kevin Prince Boateng (Schalke 04/GER).