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Ghana have been boosted as striker Asamoah Gyan has been named in the starting line-up to face Algeria on Friday while coach Avram Grant looks to have scrapped his ultra-defensive formation by axing central defender Mohammed Awal and midfielder Rabiu Mohammed.

But another fit-again player John Boye has not been included in the starting line-up as the Israeli coach opts to retain confidence in the two players who played in that position in the previous match.

Gyan and Boye missed Ghana's opening group match against Senegal on Monday because of illness and after intensive treatment the two are available for action again.

Hard tackling Afriyie Acquah will get his first start at the Africa Cup of Nations as he will take the place of Rabiu Mohammed who was substituted in midfield following Ghana's opening Group C game on Monday.

The return of Gyan is a massive lift for the Black Stars who are seeking victory over the Desert Foxes with an attacking minded line-up as the side's substantive captain will lead the attack alongside the talented Jordan Ayew.

Grant looks to have reverted to the traditional Black Stars 4-4-2 formation after their previous attempt at the 3-5-2 system was widely blamed for the 2-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Senegal.

The axing of Awal, who was part of the three-man centre-back team in the match against Senegal, means that Jonathan Mensah will partner the impressive Daniel Amartey at the heart of the defence.

Harrison Afful will play from the right-back while Baba Rahman retains his left-back position.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu will partner Acquah in central midfield while Christian Atsu and and Andre Ayew will play on the right and left wing respectively.

Gyan will partner Jordan Ayew in attack which means Ghana have reverted to their favourite 4-4-2 formation which they are seeking to count on to give them the victory over the Algeria who are Africa's best side at the moment.

Ghana will need a victory over the Algerians to keep alive their hopes of advancing from the Group of Death at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana's starting line-up:

Razak Brimah, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Jonathan Mensah, Afriyie Acquah, Christian Atsu, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew.

What do you make of Ghana's starting line up? Do you think Gyan should be started? Do you think axing Afriyie Acquah can impress ahead of Rabiu? Do you think changing the system is good? Make your views known in the box below:

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Comments

This article has 29 comment(s) , give your comment

Readers Comment

  • JOHN AKPA ( nickname ) 9 years ago

    My sister attended school in VOLTA and said Ewe people use juju even for little things like school tests. If Atsu has used juju then it will be difficult for coaches to drop him.

  • Anane Appiah 9 years ago

    Nonsense. Depending on your sister's opinion to inform all Ghanaians that Atsu might have used juju to be picked to the national team? How backward are u? What about Willie Klutse? Or better still, did the Ewes use juju to beat your sister in exams? Tweaaaaaaaaa !!!!!! In this day and age? LET IS ALL GROW UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

  • Exp Coach 9 years ago

    Atsu is a very good player but he needs to be talked to by the coach on what to do on the field. He is just not smart.

  • Mumbi 9 years ago

    The squad is okay especially that the front line is tough. Still remember that, a draw or loss for ghana, will make Ghana becoming the 1st country to get out of 2015 afcon.

  • Barnabas Senyo 9 years ago

    You see its only envy and ignorance that's worrying some people. The ewes are so academically successful that those who can't stand them deride them

  • coach Badu 9 years ago

    Avram Grant future in Ghana depends on this match .looking at his formation which GSN is saying is 4 4 2.i think he is being (Wise) but dont be suprise the formation is rather 4 2 3 1 .which can swtich to 4 4 2 when attacking .but Solomon Asante should have started this match with asante and atsu playin on the wings .A .ayew behind Gyan

  • Pablo 9 years ago

    God have mercy on you!

  • Abrantie 9 years ago

    Playing Dede in the center is dangerous. He holds on to the ball way too much.

  • NONI(9JA 1ST SON) 9 years ago

    I, NONI(9JA 1ST SON) will walk naked for 48hrs if GHANA doesnt crash out of AFCON 2015 tonight..... ALGERIA 2-0 GHANA.

  • freshboi 9 years ago

    Useless black stars team ever. no Coach can win a game with this shitty ass team. no creativity. i feel sorry for the team today. its really frustrating to even watch them play.

  • millennium 9 years ago

    at noni, start going naked because Ghana is winning this one.

  • Mandela 9 years ago

    Hey guys comment on de game n stop de tribal nonsense. Keep ur sista's opinion in ur head. Anoda infantile mind is one tribe being academicaly successful Says who? wats ur survey? de only recognized scholar in gh history is Busia? Is he an ewe? Gh unite n stop de tribal (ewe) foolishness we r all humans created by His(God) image

  • Motown Prince 9 years ago

    the squad looks average though its still not the best. i wished Avram start Frank Acheampong and Asante on the wings rather than atsu and andre. what did agyemang badu do in training to merit another starting role. he doesn't look tactically discipline to me in recent matches for ghana. he is just some kind of busy for nothing player at the moment. hope he proves me wrong this time.

  • Mumbi 9 years ago

    Koffi, Iam not wishing the BS bad against the Arabs. I just doubt the capabilities of Ghanas chances against Algeria. Ghana makes afcon interesting in my own opinion as they have taken a fourth finish position in afcon tornaments, there birth right. Have they handed over it anywhere?

  • Mr south africa 9 years ago

    I'm not sure about the cohesion of this Black stars team but with solid defence..they will beat Algeria quiet easily. Gyan is very good up front, wish Ghana to win this one...

  • FRANKLIN 9 years ago

    TODAY I HOPE BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WILL SURELYCWIN BY 3 GOAL TO 1

  • Union Leader 9 years ago

    Why Afriyie Acquah, he's no good . We will be very lucky if they don't beat us by a cricket score.

  • FRANKLIN 9 years ago

    TODAY I HOPE BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE WILL SURELY WIN BY 3 GOAL TO 1

  • THE PANTHER 9 years ago

    Unfamiliar formation in the first game accounted much for the bad result but team still needs cohesion and motivation. We will play better this game but as to whether it will be enough to win is still a doubt for me.

  • Frenzy 9 years ago

    hehe JOHN AKPA u are not TRUE at all ...see how u think """am from Volta Region """never lie your friends """ah how can you talk in this manner ""never do it again """hopefully today we gotta make it ....never worry today Atsu will score to make you hapi...

  • shine 9 years ago

    It is assistant coach Maxwel Konado should advises Avram Grant for players selections sometimes since he Konado been with the team long time now. Yes I wish Solomon Asante play this match very pace and faster player like Messi.

  • lilfresh 9 years ago

    Can someone remember Noni for me that he should start going naked? Sake of the BS won yestee if he think they are now coming to start the game.......∆∆∆

  • African Consciousness 9 years ago

    Ottoo and Asante should never start ahead of Frank Acheampong, the U20 star who has played in the UEFA Champions league deserves better. He can play as a winger and striker give this guy a chance he is hungry to prove his worth for the senior team.

  • Bishop 9 years ago

    Where is that useless noni?bettter Start walking naked.never underate the the BS

  • millennium 9 years ago

    I am expecting to see noni to go naked. did anybody on this forum take a picture of his nakedness? Post it and let's see what he has.

  • Alfred Kodjo 9 years ago

    Akpa your sister attended one of the best private school in the Volta region sunrise to be precisely and she was a fool and will continue to be a fool till thy Kingdom come for saying that

  • olonka 9 years ago

    Do not worry, we have handed it over to the chipolopolos.

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