Ghana and Algeria announce Cup of Nations squads

With the African Cup of Nations vastly approaching (starting on 10 January), two of the five African teams that will be also competing in the World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa, have annouced their squads for the continent's most important competition.

Ghana

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan, England), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland) Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland) Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany) John Mensah (Sunderland, England), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana) Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt) Michael Essien (Chelsea, England) Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria, Italy), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar) Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France), Andre Ayew (Arles-Avagnon, France)

Forwards: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad FK, Norway) Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Big surprise is that Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari has missed out. Stephen Appiah and Laryea Kingston miss out with injuries.

Quite a youthful side. 6 U-20 World Champions 2009. The squad is also sweating on the fitness of midfield general Michael Essien, who's currently out of action with an hamstring injury.

Algeria

Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Fawzi Chaouchi (ES Setif), Mohamed Amine Zemmamouche (MC Algiers)

Defenders: Slimane Raho (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/Scotland), Rafik Halliche (Nacional/Portugal), Anthar Yahia (Bochum/Germany), Samir Zaoui (ASO Chlef), Abdelkader Laifaoui (ES Setif), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/England), Reda Baabouche (MC Algiers)

Midfielders: Hassen Yebda (Portsmouth/England), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient/France), Khaled Lemmouchia (ES Setif), Mourad Meghni (Lazio/Italy), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg/Germany), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Yacine Bezzaz (Strasbourg/France), Hameur Bouazza (Blackpool/England), Djamal Abdoun (Nantes/France)

Forwards: Rafik Saifi (Al-Khor/Qatar), Abdelkader Mohamed Ghezzal (Siena/Italy), Abdelmalik Ziaya (ES Setif) Varus: Mohamed Ousserir (CR Belouizdad), Mohamed Meftah (JS Kabylie), Hocine Metref (ES Setif), Chadli Amri (Mainz/Germany)

Possibly the only surprise is that Hull City's Kamel Ghilas wasn't picked. Otherwise it's basically a full strenght side.

Ghana in group B with Ivory Coast, Togo and Burkina Faso. Algeria are in group A, alongside hosts Angola, Mali and Malawi.