Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah faces a selection headache towards naming his starting line up in the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Zambia due to the super star returnees to the Black Stars.
Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been included in the Ghana squad for the crunch match on September 6 after writing to the Ghana FA to rescind their decision to quit the team.
Chelsea star Michael Essien took everyone by surprise by making himself silently available again for international duty after an over two-year absence.
He has also been included in Ghana’s 26-man squad for the match to be played in Kumasi.
These three returnees will be competing for limited first team places with already existing stars in the Black Stars.
Coach Appiah who has now been blessed with the availability of all these quality materials now faces a dilemma on who to pick and drop for the match against the Chipolopolo.
Right from the goalkeeping department where Adam Kwarasey and Razak Braimah are in serious contention to dethrone first choice Fatau Dauda who is yet to make his debut since joining Orlando Pirates.
The central defensive pair of Jonathan Mensah and John Boye will probably be the straight forward choice.
Harrison Afful should slot in at left back with Daniel Opare currently edging it over Samuel Inkoom whose club woes continues.
It is however in midfield that coach Appiah faces perhaps his most difficult task.
There is a preferred permutation of Michael Essien and Rabiu Mohammed playing the holding role with Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng playing on the left and right hand side of the midfield.
This will ensure there will be no place for Mubarak Wakaso and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and even the recent impressive Yussif Rahman Chibsah.
Kwadwo Asamoah who probably is amongst the current untouchables in the team following his consistent displays for Juventus will then be made to play behind the deadly Asamoah Gyan – the same combination that gave Ghana much joy at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.
This will also mean players like Abdul Majeed Waris who hit a perfect partnership with Gyan in his last game for Ghana resumes his place on the bench.
It also means Mahatma Otoo’s wait to play a starting role for Ghana remains a mirage at this point.
Coach Akwasi Appiah who is clearly challenged with a selection dilemma is however at times noted for his spontaneous selection and could decide even to drop the star returnees to the bench for the crucial match.
