Ghana coach Otto Addo names squad for World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic

Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in June has been announced by coach Otto Addo.

The Black Stars will field a 26-man team for the two crucial matches, beginning with a trip to Bamako to face Mali on June 6. They will then host CAR in Kumasi on June 10.

The squad features debut call-ups for Cagliari midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana and West Bromwich forward Brandon Thomas-Asante. Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare is the sole home-based player included by the coach.

Coach Addo has retained many of his regulars and key players for the must-win match against Mali. Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, now fit again, makes his return alongside Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens), and Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco).

The squad also includes striker Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), wingers Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), and Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade).

Other call-ups include Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar), Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge), and Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich).

Seven players are sidelined with injuries and will miss the double-header: Baba Iddrisu, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey. Additionally, Kofi Kyere and Joseph Aidoo are out with long-term injuries.

The squad is set to assemble on Thursday morning to begin preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Training will take place at the University of Ghana Stadium for six days before the team departs for Bamako on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

The 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).