Abdul Majeed Waris left out of Ghana Cup of Nations squad

Ghana's forward Asamoah Gyan (right) and Andre Ayew react after their team lost the 2015 African Cup of Nations final match against Ivory Coast in Bata on February 8, 2015. PHOTO | CARL DE SOUZA |

What you need to know:

  • Ghana coach Avram Grant has named his 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving out France-based striker Abdul Majeed Waris for the tournament in Gabon.
  • The 25-year-old forward, who plays for Lorient in Ligue 1, was a surprise omission for the Black Stars, who reached the final of the last edition in 2015 but lost on penalties to Ivory Coast.
  • Asamoah Gyan, of Al Ahly in the United Arab Emirates, will captain the team, assisted by West Ham United's Andre Ayew.

ACCRA

Ghana coach Avram Grant has named his 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving out France-based striker Abdul Majeed Waris for the tournament in Gabon.

The 25-year-old forward, who plays for Lorient in Ligue 1, was a surprise omission for the Black Stars, who reached the final of the last edition in 2015 but lost on penalties to Ivory Coast.

Asamoah Gyan, of Al Ahly in the United Arab Emirates, will captain the team, assisted by West Ham United's Andre Ayew.

Goalkeeper Razak Brimah, who plays for Cordoba in Spain, Baba Rahman, currently on loan from Chelsea at Schalke 04, Panathinaikos midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and Newcastle United's Christian Atsu all played in the final two years ago in Equatorial Guinea.

Four-time winners Ghana are in Group D with World Cup qualifying rivals Egypt and Uganda as well as Mali. They have been training in Dubai for the tournament.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Razak Brimah (Cordoba/ESP), Abdul-Fatau Dauda (Enyimba/NGR), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew/USA), Andy Yiadom (Barnsley/ENG), Baba Rahman (Schalke/GER), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht/BEL), John Boye (Sivasspor/TUR), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew/USA), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City/ENG), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates/RSA)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese/ITA), Afriyie Acquah (Torino/ITA), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid/ESP) Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos/GRE), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United/ENG), Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm/SWE), Samuel Tetteh (Leifering/AUT)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahly/UAE), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa/ENG), Andre Ayew (West Ham/ENG), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion/SUI), Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke/GER)