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Ghana will start their final preparations for next year's African Cup of Nations with an international friendly against Cape Verde in Lisbon. The game on Wednesday is among the many international games lined up involving fourteen of the 16 teams for the tournament in South Africa. The Black Stars, four-time Nations Cup winners play first-time finalist Cape Verde in a game which will see many players attempt to make Kwesi Appiah's final squad. For Kwesi Appiah, the judgment is out on every Ghanaian player with Inter Milan player Joseph Duncan and Awal Mohammed of Maritzburg United pushing for their first caps. "I think everyone in the team is fighting for a position because the younger ones who came in are doing well. It doesn't matter if you've been in team for 10 or six years whatever, if a younger guy is doing well, automatically, he may put you off your position," he said a fortnight ago. Despite missing a host of regulars, including captain Asamoah Gyan, the options up front will rest on Abdul Majeed Warris and Richmond Boakye Yiadom with both seeking to establish themselves. Defensive places are also up for grabs as attention focuses on the right and left-back slots. While Samuel Inkoom and John Paintsil push for the right-back position, the competition for the opposite side, the left-back role remains very fierce. Richard Kissi Boateng, Nana Kwasi Asare, Lee Addy and David Addy are all attempting to catch Appiah's eye. In central defence, Awal Mohammed and Jerry Akaminko could offer the Black Stars coach more options going into a major competition. Ghana appears well stocked in midfield but for Joseph Duncan, Solomon Asante, Albert Adomah, Mubarak Wakasu, Edwin Gyimah and Afriyie Acquah, it's an opportunity to prove themselves.