Head Coach of Ghana’s senior male national team, Otto Addo, has called up thirty-three players for next week’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers against Madagascar and Central African Republic.
The Black Stars of Ghana will also take part in a 4-nation tournament that features Japan, Chile and Tunisia as part of the build up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in November. This means the players called up for the AFCON qualifiers will also represent Ghana during the pre-world Cup preparatory matches lined-up in June.
Captain Andre Ayew, who missed the World Cup play offs against Nigeria, returned to the squad after serving his two match suspension following a straight red card he was shown during Ghana’s last 2021 AFCON match against the Comoros Island.
Similarly, striker Bejamin Tetteh, who was also shown a red card during a scuffle between Ghana and Gabon players at the 2021 AFCON, made a return to the squad.
The skipper and Bejamin Tetteh were not the only known players to make a return to the squad. Also returning to the squad are Mubarak Wakasso, Jonathan Mensah and Kamaldeen Sulemana. The three players have not featured for the Black Stars since the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Sulemana’s inclusion is a major boost for the Black Stars as he is expected to bring some creativity, pace and tenacity up front, operating from the wings.
Meanwhile, 19-year old AS Roma sensational striker, Felix Afena-Gyan, who became the youngest Ghanaian player to win a European trophy just last night, also made the squad following his brilliant performance during the play-offs against Nigeria in March 2022.
The attacking options for the Black Stars has been brightened due to the inclusion of Bristol City’s in-form striker, Antoine Semenyo.
Two local players included in the squad
Meanwhile, Accra Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Bechem United’s Augustine Okrah have also been included in the squad. These are the only two local players to make the squad which unsurprisingly, is dominated by foreign-based players. The two players have been brilliant in the ongoing 2021/2022 Ghana Premier League season.
Ghana will take on Madagascar on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at the Cape Coast sports stadium before taking on Central African Republic four days later in Luanda, Angola. Ghana remains favorites in Group E, having been paired against Madagascar, Angola and the Central African Republic for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
After their poor performance in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, the Black Stars seek to make amends as the pursuit for their fifth AFCON title which has eluded them in more than 40 years continues.
Meanwhile, with the World Cup around the corner, Coach Otto Addo will lead his charges to a four-nation tournament in Japan as part of preparations towards the FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars of Ghana have been drawn in Group H in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup to be staged in Qatar alongside Portugal, Uruguay and Korea Republic. Their first game will be against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, before facing Luis Suarez’s Uruguay. Their last Group match will be against South Korea which appears to be an evenly-matched contest.
The full squad:
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