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Four Black Stars who could make Kwesi Appiah's next squad

Kwesi Appiah of Ghana Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images

It is decision time for Ghana boss Kwesi Appiah.

In the first week of September he faces two potentially career-defining World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Congo.

With the Black Stars trailing Egypt by five points in Group E, Appiah must ensure that Ghana remain as close as possible to the Pharaohs ahead of the crunch meeting between the two sides in November.

The new coach must get his personnel right, but Appiah's first three games have given reason for hope and reason to fear.

Against Ethiopia, Raphael Dwamena, Lumor Agbenyenu and Thomas Agyepong played well enough to cement their spots in the side, but during a tour of the United States - as the West Africans lost two - it was clear that the squad lacked depth and experience.

Thus, there are a few key decisions for Appiah to make.

Does he bring back the experienced duo of Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Mubarak Wakaso?

Is it time to review his striking options with Majeed Waris and David Accam not impressing to date?

If Appiah decides to ring the changes, there are a few players featuring in Europe's less glamorous leagues who may deserve his attention. Here are four he ought to consider.

Richmond Boakye-Yiadom

There was a time when the former Juventus striker's name was a familiar one in the international setup, until he spent too much time behind a table tennis board at the 2013 Nations Cup while injured, which infuriated Appiah.

Since then he has not had too much of a look in apart from a brief return to the fold under Avram Grant.

His recent form might force a rethink; in eight games for Red Star Belgrade, Boakye has scored nine goals including seven in six Europa league playoff games and two in the league.

Given that many of the other players will be warming up into the season, the powerful forward's head start and, above all, his goals, could be central in reigniting Ghana's World Cup campaign.

Joseph Attamah

Like Dwamena, the Turkey-based player missed out on the 2017 Nations Cup at the last minute, but - also like his compatriot - his head hasn't dropped.

Attamah made 15 appearances last term as Istanbul Basaksehir secured a Champions League qualifying spot last season, and has proved his tenacity and his capacities of self-sacrifice in the base of the midfield and the heart of the defence.

Kasim Nuhu

With options short in the defence, Nuhu looks like a safe bet to bolster Appiah's options - even if he made the headlines for all the wrong reasons on Tuesday night for a miserable own goal in Young Boys' Champions League playoff defeat.

After four years shuttling between loan deals, Nuhu seems established at the Swiss side, and should only get stronger for his increased continental exposure.

The 22-year-old should certainly be considered as a viable alternative to John Boye, Jonathan Mensah and Daniel Amartey.

Ebenezer Assifuah

Assifuah has had his moments with the Black Stars but not consistently enough to tie down a regular squad place.

However, the tidy, inventive forward is enjoying an excellent start to the season - he's scored four in three for Le Havre - and has begun to demonstrate the kind of form he showed earlier in his career, when he top scored at the 2013 World Youth Cup.

The problem for Assifuah is that in many ways he is too similar to the likes of Accam and Waris who are also biding for a spot in the team.

That said, if he continues scoring at his current rate, can Appiah continue to ignore him?