Black Stars coach Otto Addo has revealed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) only pressures him to include home-based players in his squad, affirming his autonomy and dispelling rumors of interference with his decisions.

Addressing the media during a press conference where he announced the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, Addo emphasized the freedom he enjoys in his role.

“The Ghana FA let me do my thing. I don’t know if I can say this, but the only pressure they gave me was to include local-based players in the squad. Otherwise, I loved the freedom they gave me,” stated Otto Addo.

In the squad unveiled, Addo included only one home-based player, Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare, while notably excluding captain Andre Ayew.

Regarding Ayew’s omission, Addo explained, “I had a long talk with Andre and gave him the reason why he is not in the squad. I talk to players directly, and I don’t like to put information out about what we spoke about. This is the decision we took, and it is not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have big respect for him.”

The Black Stars are set to face Mali on June 6, 2024, in Bamako, followed by a match against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi four days later.

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