Kwesi Appiah, Head Coach of the senior national team, before announcing his final squad at the team’s camping base at the Ali Jebel Center of Excellence noted that he had been impressed by all the 29 players called up and wished he had the chance to take all the players along but per the regulations of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) only 23 players were allowed, hence the need to exclude the five players including Abdul Majeed Waris and injured Nuhu Musah.

GNA sports takes a look at the seven debutants and what they bring into the team, going into this tournament and for the future.

Undoubtedly one of the brightest goalkeepers in the country in the Ghana Premier League, being the safest pair of hands for Asante Kotoko, who has proved himself beyond doubt in being called up into the Black Stars team.

The 23-year old Felix Annan, who helped the Porcupine Warriors in their confederations cup campaign is likely to provide cover for Richard Ofori and Lawrence Ati Zigi as he keeps up with his development in organizing his backline, which seem to be a bit of problem for him, but with so much energy and enthusiasm, the future is bright for Annan.

At the right side of defence is a young and energetic Joseph Attamah Larweh, who seem to have provided a solution to Ghana’s problems at the right side of defence.

Perhaps his versatility of playing at the heart of defence and a defensive midfield role prompted the technical handlers to settle on him for the June 21 to July 19 continental showpiece in Egypt.

Attamah, 25, who earned his first national team call up in 2017 was a member of the Ghana U20 squad that represented the nation at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey and could gain a starting berth depending on what formation coach Kwesi Appiah would deploy on a day, though he is a prospect for the future.

Samuel Owusu, with so much pace can take on defence at any given time and can also provide support to the attacking line, gifted with so much technique and flair on the ball.

Young Owusu has played a major part for his club Cukaricki, where he has played thirty-three games for the Serbian side scoring seven goals and providing ten assists in the process, making him a great addition to the team and building star for the future as well.

KRC Genk’s Joseph Aidoo would be also be making his maiden appearance at the 32nd biennial competition as one of the finest and energetic center backs available to coach Kwesi Appiah in the 24 nation’s tournament.

Helping Genk in the Belgium league and winning the 2018/2019 season, he made twenty-five appearances scoring one goal.

He was instrumental in the Belgians quest in the just ended Europa league as they failed to make it out to the group stages.

Having a taste an international tournament in the FIFA U20 World Cup Tournament in New Zealand, Aidoo would be a good addition to the team and a good player for the future.

Caleb Ekuban has won the hearts of many Ghanaian football fans with his brief stints with the national team after scoring in his debut outing for the stars at the Accra Sports Stadium in an AFCON qualifier.

The 25-year-old attacker, who poses good techniques and with his strong physical presence would be a good starter or possibly cover for Gyan and Jordan Ayew, depending on what tactics coach Appiah would stick to for a day.

Having played in the physical league in Italy, Ekuban would relish playing for Ghana, where they would be hoping to write their names in the history books of Ghana.

Having featured for the Black Satellites of Ghana, Kwabena Owusu 21, who plies his trade with Leganes in Spain might be the reason for Majeed waris’ omission from the Stars’ final list.

The young attacker has exhibited some glimpses of a potential super substitute, going into a competition of this nature with tried and tested attackers like General Captain and Jordan ayew as well as a strong personality of Ekuban.

Though he might not be a starter, he would prove a bit of competition, when Coach Kwesi Appiah decides to go for fresher bloods and hungry for success lads, who would run throughout the 90 minutes of play time.  

Thomas Agyepong a quick and pacey lad on either sides of the wings, can cause damage to defenders who cannot cover their tracks well. Having been nurtured by the Right to Dream academy, Agyepong has grown to have stints with NAC Breda and FC Twenty in the Dutch top flight league.

With only one appearance with his current club Hibernian, where he is a loan move, he has seen little action due to injuries but with age on his side, the 22 year old has been given the chance to prove what he can do when he is called upon.

Ghana, placed in Group F would play Benin on 25th June, 2019 in a Group F opener before taking on Cameroon and Guinea-Bissau respectively.