Gabriel Issah Ahmed has been handed a starting place in the Ghana team for Sunday’s 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifier against Gabon.

Ghana play the Gabonese at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra. The match kicks off at 17:00GMT.

Issah Ahmed would partner captain, John Mensah in central defence and he would play his first game for the Black Stars since playing a role during the latter stages of Ghana’s World Cup qualifying campaign for Germany 2006.

The Randers FC defender came in for the injured Eric Addo, who picked up a foot injury in the reverse game away in Libreville.

Junior Agogo, who came off the bench in the game against Gabon starts this time round alongside Prince Tagoe in attack for Ghana.

Ghana are now placed second on the Group 5 table in the African Zone after Libya assumed the first spot following a 4-0 win over Lesotho in Tripoli on Saturday.

The North Africans are now on nine points, three more than Ghana but the Black Stars can regain leadership of the group on goal difference with a 1-0 win over Gabon on Sunday in Accra.

Ghana line up:

Richard Kingson, John Painstil, Harrison Afful, Issah Ahmed, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Junior Agogo and Prince Tagoe.