Breaking News: Waris, Badu named in Ghana's starting line-up to face Portugal – Essien, Jordan benched

Ghana have named fit-gain striker Abdul Majeed Waris and midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu in their starting line-up  to face Portugal in their final World Cup Group G in Brasilia on Thursday afternoon.

This means experienced midfielder Michael Essien and Jordan Ayew will stay on the bench of the Black Stars despite the absence of Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng.

Coach Kwesi Appiah named most of the players who gave Germany a hard time in their previous match that ended 2-2 with the Black Stars dominating the exchanges.

But he has been forced to make changes to the squad following the full fitness of Waris and the absence of some players who were axed from the squad on Thursday morning hours before the match.

Badu, who plays for Italian side Udinese, looks to have benefited from the absence of Sulley Muntari who played in the offensive midfield position since the start of the tournament.

Waris who was the favourite person to partner Asamoah Gyan in attack, suffered a thigh injury just before the start of the competition but the presence of Kevin-Prince Boateng and the in-form Jordan Ayew kept him on the bench.

With Boateng's absence and Jordan Ayew's missing of several chances in their previous match against Germany, Waris has been named to lead the attack along with Gyan.

Impressive Harrisoon Afful will start at the right-back while Kwadwo Asamoah who has been a revelation at the left-back is kept in that position.

John Boye will partner Jonathan Mensah at the heart of the defence to protect goalkeeper Fatau Dauda while Rabiu Mohammed will work in the midfield with Badu.

Silky Chritstian Atsu will play from the right wig with Andre Ayew playing from the left with Gyan and Waris leading the attack.

Ghana are chasing a win hoping that other result in the match between the United States and Germany will go their way to help them to reach the last 16 of the tournament in Brazil.

Ghana starting line-up
Fatau Dauda, Harrison Afful, Kwadwo Asamoah, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Rabiu Mohammed, Christian Atsu, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Abdul Majeed Waris, Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew.

What do you think of the Ghana starting line-up? Do you think the Black Stars can win the match with all these troubles in the Black Stars camp? Make your views known in the box below: