David Accam
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB Season 2014-2015
The former Dutch football-star, Ruud Gullit, hopes a team from Africa will perform well and prove to be the surprise package at the World Cup in Brazil.
Leicester City's Jeffery Schlupp has been axed from Ghana's 2014 World Cup squad. The defender is one of three players dropped from the preliminary 26-man World Cup squad announced on 12 May.
Appiah, a former Black Stars captain, was appointed in April 2012 with objectives to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify the side for the 2014 World Cup.
The former AC Milan midfielder also spoke about his plans to build a school in Kumasi - Ghana's second-largest city and his father's home town - in order to strengthen the bond with the local support.
African teams participating in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah dropped a number of big names.
Fixtures and results for the 2014 Confed Cup.
2013 champions: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
Winners advance to group stage
Jordan Ayew is the son of Ghana great Abedi Pele and has so far won 11 caps and scored two goals for the Black Stars. Ayew has scored three goals for Sochaux since he joined from Marseille on loan in January and knows playing well for his club can only help his chances of getting into the Black Stars' squad for Brazil.
He was the captain of Ghana's national football team for six years (1992-1998) and was one of the first African football players to earn a top placing in FIFA World Player of the Year voting in 1991 and 1992.
Abedi Pele played for Ghana 73 times and is considered the greatest football player in his country's history, and among the best in Africa. Until 7 June 2013 when he was surpassed by Asamoah Gyan, he was the top goal scorer for Ghana with 33 goals.
African Players on the FIFA 100 list:
• Abédi Pelé (Ghana)
• El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)
• George Weah (Liberia)
• Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
• Roger Milla (Cameroon)
David Accam
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB Season 2014-2015