The Black Stars are back in camp and it’s not just any reunion. With the storied rivalry against Nigeria looming in the Unity Cup semifinal, Ghana’s squad features a fresh blend of promise and purpose under Otto Addo’s clear vision for the future.
Sixteen players reported for duty in West London on yesterday, kicking off preparations at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium ahead of Wednesday’s high-stakes encounter. Among the early arrivals were regulars like Jordan Ayew and newcomers such as Lawrence Agyekum and Razak Simpson.
Otto Addo’s squad features five debutants, a deliberate choice in a window shaped as much by opportunity as it is by necessity. The likes of Mohammed Kudus, Kamal Deen Sulemana and Antoine Semenyo are sidelined with injuries, prompting Addo to hand chances to emerging talents he’s monitored for months.
“This is the perfect time to observe players we’ve been tracking,” Otto Addo said. “Team building is a process, and the Unity Cup offers a platform to integrate young players into the squad.”
The timing couldn’t be more vital. Ghana’s momentum from recent victories in World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar has kept belief high, and a win over Nigeria would not only send them to Saturday’s final, but further cement the groundwork for September’s qualifiers.
With six more players due to arrive later, including Mohammed Salisu and Felix Afena Gyan, Otto Addo is expected to finalize a squad that blends youthful hunger with experience. And with regional bragging rights on the line, the stakes feel as heavy as ever.
Ghana’s semifinal against Nigeria kicks off on May 28. The winner will face either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup final on May 31.
