The brothers are the biggest names missing from the 26-man squad for the game in Kampala. The Ghana Football Association did not offer any explanation for the omission of the two players for a match that Ghana must win to keep their slim chances of a place at the World Cup intact.

West Ham's Andre Ayew pulled out of the Nations Cup qualifier against Congo citing an injury, while his brother Jordan of Swansea City did not travel to Brazzaville because of a stomach upset.

KweséESPN understands Appiah was unhappy with the pair over the withdrawals, the latest in a tense relationship between the coach and brothers which dates back to the 2013 Nations Cup when he dropped both, prompting them to resign from the Black Stars.

There is also no place in the side for Crystal Palace's Jeffery Schlupp and defender John Boye, but Switzerland-based Raphael Dwamena returns after missing the Congo games over health concerns.

There is also a return to the Black Stars for Augsburg defender Daniel Opare -- his last appearance for Ghana coming at the 2014 World Cup.

Appiah has handed a debut call-up to Hearts of Oak defender Vincent Atinga after his fine displays in the victorious WAFU Cup, as well as Abass Mohammed of Harrisburg City in the second tier of US soccer.

The Black Stars will gather in Nairobi, Kenya from October 2 to prepare for the game.

GHANA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa), Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Joseph Addo (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA), Daniel Opare (Augsburg, Germany) Agbenyenu Lumor (Portimonese, Portugal), Abass Mohammed (Harrisburg City, USA), Kasim Nuhu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Daniel Amartey (Leicester, England), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA), Nicholas Opoku (Club Africain, Tunisia), Vincent Atinga (Hearts of Oak)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Joseph Attamah (Bakaksehir, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Kingsley Sarfo (Malmo, Sweden), Alfred Duncan (Sassuolo FC, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (Stuttgart, Germany), Thomas Agyepong (NAC Breda, Holland), Frank Acheampong (Tianjin TEDA, China), Isaac Twum (Inter Allies), Patrick Twumasi (Astana FC, Kazakhtan)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Kayerispor, Turkey), Raphael Dwamena (FC Zurich, Switzerland), John Antwi (Misr Lel-Makkasa, Egypt), Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia).