Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo and Thomas Partey named In Ghana World Cup squad

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Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has named Antoine Semenyo and Thomas Partey in his final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup, leaving it until the last minute to confirm his selections.

Ghana will face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday in a friendly match before travelling to North America for their fifth World Cup appearance, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

The midfield includes former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, 32, now with Villarreal, despite the player being due to stand trial in the UK at a later date on rape and sexual assault charges. Partey has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
 

Veteran Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars, who will be without Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus due to injury.

Semenyo, 26, enjoyed an impressive campaign after joining Manchester City from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5 million fee, scoring 11 goals in 27 appearances.

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico begins on June 11, with Ghana opening their campaign against Panama six days later.

Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)

Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)

Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City).