体坛英语新闻：Ghana ready for soccer friendly with China

ACCRA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The technical handlers of the Black Stars, Ghana's senior national men's soccer team, left here on Monday to join foreign players invited for an international friendly against China on Wednesday.

Ghana coach, James Kwesi Appiah, has named an 18-man squad for the friendly game which will be played at Xi'an's Shaanxi Shangshi Chinghai Stadium.

There are first-time senior call-ups for Stromsgodset defender Abdul Razak Nuhu, Frank Acheampong of Buriram United, Juventus attacker Richmond Boakye Yiadom, and SuperSport United's Edwin Gyimah.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who plays for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, returns for his first game after taking a leave from national assignments after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, whilst CAF Champions League top scorer Emmanuel Clottey made the cut and is expected to start for the Ghanaian side.

Ghana will use the match as a warm-up for the upcoming 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier at home against Malawi in September as well as the second leg in October in Blantyre to secure a place in the continental tournament due in South Africa early next year.

Ghana is ranked 32nd whilst China is placed 69th on the August edition of the latest FIFA world rankings.