Hosts, Ghana, have named its final 23-man squad for the 2008 African Nations Cup.

The list includes Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, the Celta Vigo striker who was cleared on Thursday by world soccer governing body, FIFA to play for Ghana after having his nationality switch application approved.

Claude Le Roy has included fourteen players who would be making their Cup of Nations debut.

The newcomers to Cup of Nations for the Black Stars are: Fatau Dauda, Nana Kwasi Asare, Alhassan Illiasu, Hans Adu Sarpei, Harrison Afful, Anthony Annan, Bernard Kumordzi, Andre Ayew, Ahmed Barruso, Asamoah Gyan, Junior Agogo, Baffour Gyan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Kwadwo Asamoah.

Three home-based players make the final squad.

The Black Stars have been training ahead of the competition in the United Arab Emirates and are expected to return home on January 15, five days before the start of the tournament to be hosted by four Ghanaian cities.

Four-time winners, Ghana, gets the tournament underway in Group A on January 20 with the opening match of the competition against Guinea. The group also includes Namibia and Morocco.

Goalkeepers:

Richard Kingson (Birmingham City, England), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod, Israel), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold, Ghana)

Defenders:

John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelon, Belgium), John Mensah (Rennes, France), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn, Russia), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma, Italy)

Midfielders:

Anthony Annan (I.K. Start, Norway), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios FC, Greece), Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth, England), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille, France)

Strikers:

Asamoah Gyan (Udinese, Italy), Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn, Russia), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals, Ghana)