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AFCON 2023 QUALIFIER: Andre Ayew returns as Chris Hughton names Ghana squad to face Madagascar

The captain was an unused substitute against Angola in Kumasi and did not travel for the return leg in Luanda due to injury

Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew will lead the side against the Barea of Madagascar in their penultimate Group E clash in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.

Ayew returns after missing out against Angola in Kumasi and Luanda following Chris Hughton’s appointment as Ghana manager.

The former Nottingham Forest forward was an unused substitute when Ghana won 1-0 against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and could not travel with the side for the second leg due to an injury he picked at training.

His return will be a massive boost to the side that needs a win to secure qualification to the 2023 AFCON to be hosted in Ivory Coast.

Coach Chris Hughton has also handed a starting role to Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo.

FC Sheriff Tiraspol left back Patrick Kpozo has also been handed his first Ghana cap and his first start following the absence Baba Rahman and Gideon Mensah from the national team due to injuries.

Below is Ghana’s line up to face Madagascar with Ati Zigi in post:

Lawrence Ati Zigi, Danis Odoi, Patrick Kpozo, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Thomas Partey, Salis Abdul Samed, Jordan Ayew, Joseph Paintsil, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Andre Ayew.

Sheikh Tophic Sienu

Tophic Abdul-Kadir with the pen name Sheikh Tophic Sienu is a Ghanaian journalist with specialization in sports reporting and media consultancy. He has been a practicing sports journalist since 2008 and a media consultant for many government agencies and private sector organizations. He studied Communications Studies at the Christian Service University College in Kumasi and is currently pursuing an MA in Strategic communications at the African University college of communications in Accra. He also holds B.ed in Basic Education from the University of Education, Winneba. Married and blessed with two handsome boys and a girl, Sheikh Tophic Sienu resides in Accra, the capital of Ghana and currently works as the editor for West Africa’s fastest growing football portal – FootballMadeInGhana.com.gh Until his appointment as editor for FootballMadeInGhana.com.gh, Sheikh Tophic Sienu was the editor for the colourful football portal 442gh.com and also spent three years with the biggest football website in Ghana, GHANAsoccernet.com as a writer and reporter. He is a regular television analyst/football pundit on Ghana Television (GTV), Metro TV as well as serving as a pundit for the Bundesliga on match days on GTV Sports+. He’s highly respected for his knowledge of the African game, his punditry on the German Bundesliga as well as his admiration and consistent updates of the Bundesliga, the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup as well as the AFCON on social and mainstream media. He is one of a few football writers in Ghana to have had the opportunity of traveling to cover the Bundesliga on a media visit organized by the DfB International and broadcast partners StarTimes. He is a well-organized team player, detailed-oriented and able to handle multiple tasks. He has covered several events including top international sporting events – Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), West Africa football Union (WAFU) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar- as well as serving as a consultant for several football clubs and media outlets in Ghana. He is a perfectionist and always wants to achieve the best out of the lot. He is always a unifier wherever he is found as well as helping to accelerate the achievement of goals and has positioned himself as a valuable resource in a variety of situations. Even though he believes in certificates, he believes in what he can do more than what he has. He is highly connected in the Ghanaian media as well as several Africa countries and is a valuable asset to facilitate and accelerate the achievement of goals through the media and communication industry.

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