Ghana coach Appiah explains Wakaso recall

Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah has shed light on his decision to hand Alaves midfielder Mubarak Wakaso a second lifeline with Black Stars.

Out of the national set-up since the Africa Cup of Nations in February, the former Villarreal man is one of few returnees in the 23-man Black Stars squad named for the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Egypt on Sunday.

“Wakaso plays as a defensive midfielder and at the moment. Afriyie Acquah is returning from injury and Alfred Duncan is injured, so I only have [Joseph] Attamah Larweh," Appiah told Graphic Sports.

“I am building a team for 2019 and that is why I am trying to invite a lot of players so that by the end of the year, we can sit back and say that now we are sure of these 10 players who can fit into the team."

Appiah's latest squad includes only one home-based player, a situation which has expectedly attracted criticism.

“The local boys finished the league last two weeks, so how do you use players who have finished the league," the former Asante Kotoko man said in defence.

He then touched on the coming clash with Egypt, a dead rubber in every sense as the Pharaohs have already secured the sole Group G ticket.

“Playing Egypt, we need to raise our ranking and at the same time, there are many other players who need to be assessed.

"So I should take this opportunity to look at them instead of players who have gone on break,” Appiah noted.

Appiah's Ghana reign, his second stint following a first between 2012 and 2014, began in May this year.