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Ghana captain Stephen Appiah will start from the bench in tonight�s game against Zambia after pleading with the coach Milovan Rajevac for the decision. Appiah pleaded with Rajevac at the Black Stars technical meeting in front of his colleagues but he was engaged in explaining the team's tactics the coach wants to deploy. Apart from Appiah, the Serbian manager will start with his most influential players available after visa problems rocked the squad. "The decision to start me from the bench was at my instance because I want to watch things from the bench before coming in to make my contribution for my country," Appiah told Ghanasoccernet.com. "As I have not played for the Black Stars since the Benin game in April, I need to watch first from the bench before coming in. "There are no special meanings you can read into this." Michael Essien will captain the side in at Leyto n Orient�s ground in London for the game that kicks off at 1830 GMT. In the absence of John Mensah, Francis Dickoh will partner Eric Addo in the centre of defence, providing the cover for goalkeeper George Owoo who takes the place of Richard Kingston, who is injured. The wing-backs will remain the same as they lined up for June�s World Cup qualifiers so John Pantsil will play on the right with Harrison Afful on the left. The midfield will be marshalled by Essien who will be assisted by Anthony Annan, Samuel and Sulley Muntari. Striker Junior Agogo, who returns to the squad after a long absence, will be joined in attack by Haminu Dramani, who plays in a similar position for his club in Russia. Starting line-up: George Owoo, John Pantsil, Harriosn Afful, Eric Addo, Fancis Dickoh, Michael Essien, Samuel Inkoom, Anthony Annan, Junior Agogo, Haminu Dramani and Sulley Muntari. Reserves: William Amamoo, Stephen Appiah, Kwame Quansah, Gladson Awako, David Telfer and Chris Dickson.