Feature: Surprise Africa Cup of Nations inclusions

Ghana

The Black Stars have whittled their sprawling 31-man list down to 26, generating perhaps the most headlines with their squad announcement.

To some extent, this was to be expected, after all, Avram Grant has only just taken the Ghana job and doesn’t yet know his players.

He has cast the net far and wide in order to attract the best possible players to join the West Africans’ January campaign.

The inclusion of Cambridge United striker Kwesi Appiah (no relation to the former head coach) is a big surprise, and one that prompted bemusement from the media. It’s important to realise that the youngster, who currently plies his trade in the fourth division of English football, is actually on loan from Crystal Palace and may well be set for a bright future. He would certainly be a wild card inclusion in Grant’s final list.

More likely to feature, however, are the impressive pair Daniel Amartey and Frank Acheampong. Neither featured during qualification (and only Acheampong has been capped) but both have been included as a reward for some excellent club form.

Adu and Acheampong, in particular, could slip comfortably into the Black Stars’ starting XI for their crunch Group C match against South Africa — doubtless, Shakes Mashaba will be keeping tabs.

Senegal

South Africa’s other two Group C opponents have each decided to bring back an old, familiar face or two ahead of the Cup of Nations.

Lamine Gassama was jettisoned by Senegal soon after his dismal showing against the Ivory Coast in October 2013. However, over the subsequent months, the side have occasionally struggled to fill the right-back/right-wing back berth — Steve Badji has been shoehorned into this role — and on the eve of the Afcon, Giresse has turned back to the Lorient stopper.

Gassama will look to get forward on the flank meaning South Africa’s left-back (likely Thabo Matlaba following Sibusiso Khumalo’s omission) may need to contend with the defender’s marauding forays.

Henri Saivet of Girondins de Bordeaux, who has been plagued by injury throughout 2014, has also been named in Giresse’s squad. If he can prove his fitness, he could be delightful offensive option for the Lions of Teranga, particularly with injury concerns affecting both Sadio Mane and Diafra Sakho.

Algeria

In Algeria’s case, the only surprise name among Christian Gourcuff’s finalised Cup of Nations squad is the playmaker Foued Kadir.

Largely, the French manager has retained a stable side and kept faith with the players who secured the Desert Foxes’ spot among the elite at the continental high table.

Kadir is the only one of the 23 (apart from Metz’s Ahmed Kashi, a late replacement for Mehdi Abeid) not to have featured at all during the six qualifying matches.

Indeed, Kadir wasn’t called up at all during qualification. He didn’t even make the World Cup squad, and last featured for the Desert Foxes in a pre-tournament friendly against Slovenia during the summer.

With Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Riyad Mahrez well established for the North African giants, I would be intrigued to know Gourcuff’s rationale behind recalling the veteran attacking midfielder. Indeed, I would be surprised if he played a critical role for the Fennecs in Equatorial Guinea.

The Rest of the Nations

As was expected, Cameroon boss Volker Finke resisted the temptation to recall the majority of the players axed following the Indomitable Lions’ desperate World Cup showing.

The one exception is centre-back Aurelien Chedjou, who wasn’t initially named in the provisional 24, but was ultimately named as a replacement for injured Marseille man Brice N’Late. It will be interesting to see whether the experienced stopper will settle for a reserve role, or if his return will prompt a defensive reshuffle, with Ambroise Oyongo a possible casualty. A recent injury suffered by Stephane Mbia may see Chedjou receive an unlikely promotion to the first XI.

As his search for capable, competent defenders continues, Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard has handed a maiden call-up to Espanyol defender Eric Bertrand Bailly. The 20-year-old is only a newcomer to the Periquitos side, and while he has undeniable physical qualities, it would be a surprise if he were to see game-time at the Afcon.

DR Congo boss Florent Ibenge has named a provisional 29, including a handful of players who didn’t feature for the side during qualification.

The most notable inclusion is powerful forward Dieumerci Mbokani, who hasn’t featured for the side since June 2013. Largely, his absence has been down to injury, and the target man — who led the line for the Leopards at the last Cup of Nations — will need to prove his fitness before the final announcement.

Mali have recalled two key offensive players who didn’t represent the side during qualification. While the likes of Bakaye Traore of Bursaspor and Birama Traore of Brest helped the Eagles advance to the continental showpiece over the last few months, neither man has made the squad.

Instead, Henryk Kasperczak has called up two French-based players who offer something a little different to the West Africans’ other options.

Modibo Maiga may not be a prolific frontman, but his off-the-ball movement and pace can help those around him. Abdou Traore, of Bordeaux, will be a lively, forward-thinking presence from the centre of midfield if he makes the final 23.

Finally, Tunisia, who many are tipping as tournament dark horses, included playmaker Anis Ben Hatira in their provisional 26.

The Hertha Berlin hasn’t always demonstrated an ability to take control of a contest and decide the outcome of a match, but he has shown flashes of brilliance and could be an intriguing addition…if he can squeeze his way ahead of some talented rivals and overcome some late injury concerns.

Source: kickoff.com