AS Roma defender, Samuel Osei Kuffuor, has finally regained his position at the heart of defence for the Black Stars.

Contrary to media reports that the player had been left out of Ghana’s Nations Cup plans, Kuffuor is high up on the list of twenty-three players released by the technical handlers of the team.

Coach Ratomir Dujkovic and his technical team have maintained the chunk of players used for Ghana’s World Cup qualification for next year’s African Nations Cup.

Goalkeepers Sammy Adjei, George Owu and Philemon McCarthy have retained their places in the team.

In defence, John Mensah, Issah Ahmed and Daniel Edusei are still at post while Francis Dickoh gets another shot at the national team.

Very little has changed in midfield where captain Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Laryea, Abubakari Yakubu, Matthew Amoah and Godwin Attram have all gained call ups.

Sulley Muntari and Enyimba’s Joetex Frempong return to the setup after missing the Saudi Arabia friendly.

Other familiar names in the squad are Asamoah Gyan, John Paintsil and Emmanuel Pappoe.

Asante Kotoko’s goal poacher Aziz Ansah, Prince Tagoe and Hamza Mohamed complete the squad.

The national team handlers have however named six players as being on standby.

They are: Baba Armando(Krylia Sovetov, Russia) Baffour Gyan(Dynamo Moscow, Russia) Patrick Agyemang(Preston Northend, England)Louis Agyemang(Kaiser Chiefs, South Africa) Alex Tachie Mensah(St Gallen) and Illiasu Alhassan(King Faisal,Ghana)

The Black Stars are scheduled to leave Accra on 27th December for the final lap of their preparations in Tunisia.

They will move to Cairo on 17th January for the Nations Cup.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), George Owu(AshantiGold, Ghana), Philemon McCarthy(Fetteh Feyenoord, Ghana)


Defenders:

Addoquaye Pappoe(Ashdod Tel-Aviv, Israel) John Painstil(Ashdod Tel-Aviv, Israel) John Mensah(Cremonese, Italy) Issa Ahmed(Asante Kotoko, Ghana)Aziz Ansah(Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Abubakari Yakubu(Vitesse Arnheim, Holland) and Dan Edusei(Egaleo, Greece)Sammy Osei Kuffour(AS Roma, Italy) Francis Dickoh(Nordsjaelland fc, Denmark)


Midfielders:

Stephen Appiah(Fenerbache, Turkey) Michael Essien(Chelsea, England) Haminu Dramani(Red Star Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro) Hamza Mohammed(Real Tamale United, Ghana) Laryea Kingston(Terek Gronzy, Russia) and Sulley Ali Muntari(Udinese, Italy)


Attackers:

Asamoah Gyan(Modena, Italy) Godwin Attram(Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia) Joe Tex Frimpong(Enyimba, Nigeria) and Matthew Amoah, Vittese Arnheim, Holland), Prince Tagoe(Accra Hearts of Oak)