Ghana's mercurial midfielder Kwodwo Asamoah has been handed a starting place in a tricky West African duel against Mali in Group D. Asamoah sat out of the opener against Botswana in which the Stars laboured to win by a solitary goal. He will be key in pulling the strings in midfield from where Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Anthony Annan and Agyemang Badu will be operating. With skipper John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah out on suspension, Jonathan Mensah and John Boye will partner in central defence. On the left of defence, Massawudu Alhassan comes in for Samuel Inkoom with John Paintsil resolute at right back. Adam Kwarasey is obviously the safest pair of hands with Gyan leading the attack. Starting line up at a glance; Goal Keeper Adam Kwarasey Defence John Paintsil, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Massawudu Alhassan Midfield Anthony Annan, Agyemang Badu, Andre Dede Ayew, Kwodwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari Attack Asamoah Gyan