Asamoah, Atsu Return To Ghana Starting Line-up – Badu, Wakaso Benched

Posted On Sunday, 16th June 2013

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has left out Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Mubarak Wakaso from his attacking-minded starting line-up to face Lesotho in Maseru while Kwadwo Asamoah and Christian Atsu return to the starting team.

Kwadwo Asamoah

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has left out Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Mubarak Wakaso from his attacking-minded starting line-up to face Lesotho in Maseru while Kwadwo Asamoah and Christian Atsu return to the starting team.

The powerfully-cautious starting line-up sees Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Christian Atsu returning to the team that looks like being up to the task of holding the speedy Crocodiles at their home venue.

Asamoah missed last week’s clash against Sudan because of fitness problems while Atsu has taken the place of Albert Adomah.

Asamoah took the place of Wakaso in the heart of the midfield.

Samuel Inkoom takes over from the suspended Richard Kissi Boateng but Harrison Afful plays at the left-back while Inkoom takes the right-back position.

In what looks like reserving some of his best armoury for the second-half when Lesotho are expected to up ante because of the altitude advantage, coach Appiah reserved Badu and Wakaso who could come in to shore up the midfield and fight.

The Crocodiles are known to win most of their matches in the second-half when their visiting opponents are tired because of the high altitude.

So the presence of Badu and Wakaso on the bench could help to stave off any second-half resurgence from the Crocodiles.

Fatau Dauda retains his place in the post while the central defence will be marshaled by John Boye and Jonathan Mensah.

Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu will both play switching roles on the right and left side of the midfield while Rabiu and Kwadwo Asamoah will take the central midfield position.

Richmond Boakye Yiadom will continue to partner captain Asamoah Gyan in attack in what looks like the Black Stars seeking goals in the match.

A victory for the Black Stars will take them to the top of Group D and give them a firm advantage over Zambia going into the final round of matches in September.

Ghana starting-line up: Fatau Dauda, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Rabiu Mohammed, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Richmond Boakye Yiadom, Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu.

What do you think about the Ghana starting line-up? Do you think this starting line-up will deliver the win against Lesotho? If you don’t think so which players do you think should start the match? Make your views known in the box below