Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has been handed his debut Black Stars call-up days before he participates in the UEFA Champions League final for his Spanish side.
Partey was included in the 23 man squad named by manager Avram Grant for the upcoming African Cup qualifier against Mauritius, after an impressive season as for Los Colchoneros.
Vice-captain Andre Ayew returns to the team, as well as Ashgold goalkeeper Fatau Dauda. Skipper Asamoah Gyan misses out due to injury, as does injury plagued Kwadwo Asamoah, even though he has returned to fill fitness.
Ghana travel to Mapou in Mauritius next week, ahead of the June 5 qualifier against the southern African side. Ghana, leading the group with ten points, simply needs a point to guarantee qualification to next year’s tournament in Gabon.
Below is the 23 man Black Stars squad for the Mauritius game….
Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England), Baba Rahman (Chelsea, England), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Kadri Mohammed (AshantiGold)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Thomas Partey (Athletico Madrid, Spain) Samuel Tetteh (WAFA), Mubarak Wakaso (Las Palmas, Spain), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo, Italy), Christian Atsu (Malaga, Spain)
Forwards: Andre Ayew (Swansea City, Wales), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), Patrick Twumasi (FC Astana, Kazakhstan)