By Simon Asare
Accra, Aug. 29, GNA—Black Stars Head Coach Otto Addo has named a 23-man squad for Ghana’s upcoming 2025 African Cup Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
Andre Ayew, who missed out on the last call-up in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, was once again excluded by coach Otto Addo.
There is a massive boost for the Black Stars with the return of Inaki Williams, Joseph Painstil, and Majeed Ashimeru, who missed out on the last call-ups due to injury.
However, some players, including Salis Samed, Gideon Mensah, Ernest Nuamah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ibrahim Sulemana, have all been ruled out of the double header due to injury.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Coach Otto Addo explained why he once again left out experienced players, including Andre Ayew and Daniel Amartey.
“Like I said the last time, we have to look a bit further to the next AFCON and maybe if we qualify for the next World Cup.
“We have to look three years ahead and we have to build for that. We know things are getting tougher with the matches we play because people expect us to win, and that is why we look towards long-term development,” Otto Addo explained.
The Black Stars of Ghana would begin their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign against Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 5 before travelling to take on Niger on September 9 in Morocco.
Full squad list:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacot, Frederick Asare, Lawrence Ati-zigi
Defenders: Alexander Djiku, Alidu Seidu, Tarik Lamptey, Abdul Munin, Salisu Mohammed, Jerome Opoku, Kingsley Schindler, Ebenezer Annan
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus, Abu Francis, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Majeed Ashimeru
Forwards: Fatawu Issahaku, Joseph Paintil, Ibrahim Osman, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew and Bradon Thomas Asante
GNA