Ghana reveal 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad

Young striker Jordan Ayew has been included in Ghana’s 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

But there was no room for veteran goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who was dropped from coach Goran Stevanovic’s squad for the tournament starting next month.

Ayew, the son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele, has been in good form for Ligue 1 side Marseille and will play alongside his brother Andre Ayew.

New Edubiase striker Emmanuel Baffour was one of three local players who made the cut after topping the goal scoring chart in the Ghana top flight this season. The other two from the Ghana Premier League are goalkeepers Daniel Adjei and Ernest Sowah.

Kingson represented Ghana at the 2010 Nations Cup and FIFA World Cup but has not played since being released from Blackpool after they got relegated from the English Premier League last season.

The squad will be heading to South Africa on January 7 for a training camp. Once it is complete, a final 23 will be announced ahead of the 28th edition of the continental flagship tourney.

The Black Stars will stay in South Africa until January 19 before travelling for their Nations Cup campaign.

During that period the Black Stars will play top South Africa side Kaiser Chiefs and the Bafana Bafana.

Ghana are in group D alongside Botswana, Guinea and Mali.

Ghana squad:

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey, Daniel Agyei, Ernest Sowah

Defenders: John Painstil, Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Massawudu Alhassan, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, John Boye

Midfielders: Derek Boateng, Anthony Annan, Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Abu Mohammed, Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Charles Takyi, Kwadwo Asamoah

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Derek Asamoah, Emmanuel Baffour.