May 23, 2006
DUKOVIC NAMES GHANA ROSTER
Essien, Appiah Anchor Strong Midfield

The roster deadline for World Cup 2006 was Monday, May 15. FIFA certified the 23-man squads on May 18, although teams will be able to replace injured players from their designated list of alternates until 24 hours before the kickoff of their first match.

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic has one of the world's most explosive talents in Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who will team with Serie A veteran Stephen Appiah. Several of Dujkovic's selections surprised observers, including uncapped defender Habib Mohamed and striker Razak Pimpong (FC Copenhagen), whose only other cap came in 2002.

The full Ghana roster:
Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Moadan Sport Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingston (Ankaraspor, Turkey), George Owu (AsantiGold).

Defenders: Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Issah Ahmed (Randers, Denmark), Shilla Alhassan Illiasu (Asante Kotoko), Samuel Osei Kuffour (AS Roma, Italy), John Mensah (Stade Rennes, France), Habib Mohammed (King Faisal Babes, Ghana), John Painstil (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Emmanuel Pappoe (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel), Daniel Quaye (Hearts of Oak), Hans Sarpei (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany)

Midfielders: Otto Addo (FSV Mainz, Germany), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Derek Boateng (AIK Stockholm, Sweden), Haminu Dramani (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy)

Strikers: Matthew Amoah (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Asamoah Gyan (Modena, Italy), Razak Pimpong (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Alex Tachie-Mensah (St. Gallen, Switzerland)