Otto Addo names Black Stars squad, two new names added

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo named a 26-man squad for next month’s doubleheader. The Black Stars are in action in World Cup qualifiers against West African neighbour Mali and the Central African Republic.

As has always been the case when squads are named, there are surprises but this time with big-name omissions.

The biggest absentees are skipper Andre Ayew who has been dropped after a discussion with the coach and Inaki Williams who is out via injury. Also absent are Daniel Amartey, Joseph Paintsil and Joseph Aidoo as well as Danie Kofi-Kyereh.

Baba Rahman’s continuous exile does not seem to be near an end as the PAOK FC left-back remains frozen. Coach Otto Addo said he tried to bring him in but Baba Rahman’s last experience in Kumasi has still got a grip on him mentally.

The new names in the squad this time have been limited to just two. Ibrahim Sulemana of Cagliari in the Italian Serie A gets his debut call-up alongside Brandon Thomas-Asante from English Championship side, West Bromwich Albion.

Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko shot-stopper Frederick Asare is the only home-based player included in the squad.

The Black Stars Squad

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Jojo Wollacot (Hibernian FC), Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko)

Defenders: Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce Istanbul), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari Calcio), Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis), Thomas Partey (FC Arsenal), Elisha Owusu ( AJ Auxerre), Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge).

Forwards: Osman Bukari (RS Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, loan from  Sporting CP), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland), Kamaldeen Sulemana (FC Southampton), Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich).