Ghana U23 coach Ibrahim Tanko has handed a starting role to Numancia midfield gem Yaw Yeboah in his starting line up to face cross-border neighbours Togo in a U23 AFCON Qualifier on Tuesday afternoon in Kumasi.
The 21-year-old gifted midfielder is surrounded by captain Isaac Twum who plays for Norwegian side IK Start in the Allsvenkan. Though the former Black Stars B skipper has not been active since August, the team is expected to profit from his experience in the middle.
Nimble-footed Evans Mensah and ferocious winger Osman Bukari of Slovakian side Trencin will operate from the wings and attempt to work the Young Hawks to tire while Dinamo Brest’s Joel Fameyeh and Kwabena Owusu of Salmantino UDS in the Spanish Segunda B upfront.
Owusu has had a decent scoring season so far in the Spanish third-tier division, netting 8 times in 16 games, an average of 0.5 goal per game.
Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Ayi didn’t get the nod to start in goal as Inter Allies’ Kwame Baah is handed the No.1 spot.
Former UEFA Youth League winner Gideon Mensah will play on the lateral defence and complement the efforts of Emmanuel Cudjoe, Zakaria Fuseini and Michael Ampadu.
Line up: Kwame Baah – Emmanuel Cudjoe, Gideon Mensah, Zakaria Fuseini, Michael Ampadu – Isaac Twum (C), Yaw Yeboah, Evans Mensah, Osman Bukari – Joel Fameyeh, Kwabena Owusu.