Ghana coach Otto Addo unveiled his 25-man squad on Thursday for the crucial AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The squad includes several key players from Europe’s top leagues, but notably absent is team captain Thomas Partey, despite the Arsenal midfielder being fit for selection.
Addo’s decision to drop Partey has sparked speculation, particularly after the midfielder had expressed his availability following his absence during the double-header against Sudan in October.
In addition, Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu will miss the upcoming matches due to a hamstring injury sustained in Ghana’s 2-0 loss to Sudan last month.
However, Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei returns to the squad, having recovered from an injury that previously sidelined him.
Premier League stars such as Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, and Fatawu Issahaku are expected to play key roles as Ghana strives to keep their AFCON qualification hopes alive.
Ibrahim Osman and Joseph Paintsil also make their return to the national team after missing the Sudan fixtures due to injuries.
The squad also features three Ghana Premier League players: Nations FC’s Razak Simpson, Samartex defender Isaac Afful, and Emmanuel Antwi of Asante Kotoko.
Ghana will face Angola at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday, November 15, 2024, followed by a match against Niger at Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars need to win both fixtures and hope for Sudan’s missteps in order to secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, making these qualifiers a high-stakes challenge for Addo’s side.
