by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
FC Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei has been sidelined from the Black Stars squad yet again, as he continues to recover from injury ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
Despite receiving his maiden call-up for Ghana’s friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda in March, Adjei had to withdraw from the squad due to an ankle injury sustained during a match against AS Monaco in the French Ligue 1.
Although the 21-year-old made a swift recovery and returned to action, he suffered another setback with an ankle injury sustained during FC Lorient’s Ligue 1 game against Olympique Marseille on May 12, causing him to miss the final day clash against Clermont.
While Adjei was being considered for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, his club, FC Lorient, has informed coach Otto Addo about his injury situation.
Since joining FC Lorient on loan in January, Adjei has made 15 appearances for the club.
Despite his recent injury woes, Adjei has showcased his talent at the youth level, earning six caps for Ghana’s under-20 and under-23 teams. Remarkably, he was selected for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations under-20 squad at the age of just 16, having previously served as vice-captain of Ghana’s under-17 team.
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
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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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Jonathan Sowah, the former Medeama striker currently playing for Al Nasr Benghazi in Libya, has not been included in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, despite earlier reports suggesting his call-up.
Coach Otto Addo announced the squad on Wednesday, with Sowah’s name notably missing. Despite his impressive form in Libya, where he has scored five goals in six appearances in the Libyan Premier League, Sowah will not feature in the upcoming qualifiers.
Sowah’s performances in the Ghana Premier League last season earned him a place in Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He made his competitive debut for the Black Stars during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Comoros, a match that Ghana lost 1-0.
Ghana will face Mali in Bamako on June 6 before returning to Kumasi to play against the Central African Republic on June 10.
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana captain Andre Ayew has been excluded from the squad for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and the Central African Republic, as confirmed by coach Otto Addo on Wednesday.
This decision is surprising given Ayew’s strong finish to the recent season, where he scored six goals to help Le Havre secure promotion to the French Ligue 1. A staple in the national team since his debut in 2007, Ayew has faced increasing criticism for his performances in recent times, particularly following Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite the criticism, Addo included Ayew in the squad for the March friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda, indicating a previous willingness to continue working with the experienced skipper. However, Ayew’s omission from the current squad suggests a potential shift in Addo’s strategy, possibly indicating that Ayew may not feature in the national team’s future plans.
Ayew’s recent club form contrasts with his national team performances, having struggled at Nottingham Forest before finding success at Le Havre. His exclusion from the squad is therefore seen as a bold move by Addo, who may be looking to rejuvenate the team by giving younger players like Mohammed Kudus more responsibility.
Ayew, who holds a record 120 appearances and 24 goals for Ghana, will not participate in the upcoming qualifiers. The Black Stars will begin their training camp on Thursday at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, aiming to regain their winning form after recording one win and one loss in their first two matches in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana will face Mali at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako on Thursday, June 6, 2024, and then play the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, June 10, 2024.
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
In-form defender Baba Rahman will not be returning to the Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, as his name was notably absent from coach Otto Addo’s recently announced squad.
Rahman, who previously withdrew from the national team before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to focus on his club career, played a crucial role in PAOK’s successful Greek Super League campaign, scoring six goals and providing three assists from his defensive position.
Despite his impressive form, Addo did not include the former Chelsea left-back in the squad. Rahman, currently on holiday in Ghana, remains supportive of the team despite his exclusion.
The Black Stars will begin preparations for the upcoming matches on Thursday as they enter camp. Training sessions will be held at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon for six days before the squad travels to Bamako to face Mali on June 6. Four days later, they will play against the Central African Republic.
Ghana aims to recover from recent setbacks, having recorded one win and one loss in their first two World Cup qualifiers. They started with a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in Kumasi but then suffered a 1-0 defeat to Comoros in Moroni.
The Black Stars have struggled in 2024, failing to secure a win with two losses and three draws, including an early elimination in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage and unsuccessful international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in Morocco. The team is eager to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming qualifiers.
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