Rwanda vs Ghana: Three Black Stars' players to watch

Rwanda take on Ghana this Saturday in Group H of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Amahoro Stadium, and here are three players in the Black Stars team that Amavubi must watch out for—they are captain Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew Dede and his young brother Jordan Ayew. The Amavubi back four Michel Rusheshangoga, Abouba Sibomana Emery Bayisenge and Salomon Nirisarike will have to be alert for the whole 90 minutes in order to deny the Ghanaian trio that has scored a combined 68 goals for the Black Stars. Andre Ayew Dede The player to watch out most is Andre Ayew Dede, who has scored 11 goals in 62 games for Ghana, and he has netted three times in four games for Swansea City in the English Premier League against Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United since his free transfer from French Ligue 1 side, Marseille. Ayew, who captained Ghana U-20 team to the African title here in Kigali in 2009, scored on his Premier League debut against Chelsea on August 8 in a 2–2 draw. A week later, he scored his second goal in Swansea’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle, and the 25-year old continued his fine form against Manchester United, where he scored one and claimed an assist as the Wales side defeated the Red Devils 2-1. Asamoah Gyan Another player is skipper Gyan, who has scored goals in the last four AFCON tournaments. He has scored three goals in five games for his new Chinese club Shanghai SIPG. Since making his international debut in 2003, he has played 90 games for Ghana and scored 48 goals. At 29-year old, Gyan may be coming towards the end of his career but he remains a key figure for coach Avram Grant and could turn out to be the match winner. Jordan Ayew The third player is 23-year old, Jordan Ayew, started to play for senior national team in 2010 and has scored nine goals in 29 appearances. On July 27, Jordan, the young brother of Dede, joined English Premier League side, Aston Villa on five-year deal for an undisclosed fee from French outfit Lorient. The young forward came off the bench in the second half to net a late winner which handed Ghana a 3-2 victory over Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday night as they prepare to face Rwanda. The Black Stars played without their big names due to injury withdrawals and late arrivals. However, Grant will be without midfield enforcer Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese) and vastly talented winger Christian Atsu (Bournemouth, England). The Black Stars are expected to jet in the country today from Brazzaville. On Tuesday, Ghana won the friendly match courtesy of goals from Harrison Afful, Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and Ayew. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda vs Ghana: Three Black Stars' players to watch