by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Cagliari midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana has earned his maiden call-up to the Black Stars for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and the Central African Republic.
This decision is part of coach Otto Addo’s strategy to introduce fresh talent into the squad.
Sulemana’s journey to the national team began in Sunyani, where he caught the attention of Atalanta’s youth scouts in 2019. Despite impressing in several trials, a major injury cut short his stint with Atalanta, leading to his transfer to Hellas Verona in 2021. He made his senior debut for Verona in October 2022 during a 2-1 defeat to Salernitana.
In July 2023, Sulemana moved to Cagliari, where he has made 14 Serie A appearances and scored two goals. His performances have now earned him a spot in Otto Addo’s squad for the crucial qualifiers.
Ghana will face Mali on June 6 at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako and the Central African Republic on June 10 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The team will commence training on Thursday at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Brandon Thomas-Asante has been called up to the Ghana national team for the first time.
The West Bromwich Albion forward, who has been the club’s top goalscorer for the past two seasons, will join the Black Stars squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Thomas-Asante is poised to potentially make his debut when Ghana travels to Bamako to face Mali on Thursday, June 6. The second qualifier is a home match against the Central African Republic on Monday, June 10.
Ghana currently sits fourth in their six-team group with three points from the first two games.
Everyone at West Bromwich Albion congratulates Brandon and wishes him the best of luck during his international duty.
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo has announced the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in June.
The 26-man squad will start their campaign with a trip to Bamako to face the Eagles on June 6, followed by a home match against the Central African Republic 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 only home-based player included.
Addo has retained several key players for these crucial matches, including fit-again Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, 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).
Striker Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) and wingers Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), and Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade) are also in the squad.
Notably, seven players are confirmed injured and will miss the double-header: Baba Iddrisu, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey. Long-term injuries have also sidelined Daniel Kofi Kyere and Joseph Aidoo.
The squad will convene on Thursday morning to begin preparations at the University of Ghana Stadium, training for six days before departing for Bamako on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Squad List:
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)
- Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes)
- Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders:
- Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)
- Ernest Nuamah (Lyon)
- Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens)
- Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
- Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis)
- Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
- Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)
- Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)
Forwards:
- Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade)
- Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, on loan from Sporting CP)
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
- Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
- Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland)
- Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)
- Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich)
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by Silas Boahene | May 30, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana head coach Otto Addo has announced the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, notably excluding team captain Andre Ayew, a decision that has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.
Ghana, a formidable force in African football, will miss the experience and skill of Ayew, prompting questions about his omission. During a press conference at the Ghana Football Association headquarters on Wednesday, Addo explained the reasoning behind his decision.
“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,” he said. “This is the decision we took, and it is not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have big respect for him.”
The decision has elicited mixed reactions, with some fans and media questioning the coach’s judgment and speculating about potential conflicts between Ayew and Addo. However, Addo’s explanation highlights that it was a considered decision rather than a hasty one.
As a former player, Addo emphasized the importance of communication and respect in the coach-player relationship.
The Black Stars are set to face Mali on June 6, 2024, in Bamako, before hosting 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
Former Ghana international Charles Taylor has urged authorities to focus on nurturing specific coaches, including Laryea Kingston and Karim Zito, whom he believes possess the technical skills necessary to revive Ghanaian football.
Taylor also identified Yaw Preko and Maxwell Konadu as part of the group capable of elevating the game to new heights.
“I’ve said it before, if Laryea doesn’t provide a good reason for his resignation, he’s disappointed me and Ghanaian coaches as a whole,” Taylor stated. “We have some coaches in Ghana, like Maxwell Konadu, Zito, Yaw Preko, and Laryea. These four have the knowledge to coach and could really help Ghanaian soccer rise again if they’re properly supported.”
Taylor expressed particular disappointment over Kingston’s recent resignation from the Black Starlets, describing it as a significant setback given Kingston’s potential trajectory within the national team framework.
“For me, Laryea resigning is a setback. He was on a path to the Black Stars. I don’t know why he resigned, and I want to hear from him because, in Ghana, anything can happen.”
Speculating on the reasons behind Kingston’s departure, Taylor suggested that financial issues might have played a role. “Maybe he wasn’t paid. There are some coaches in Ghana who aren’t paid but are still happy in their jobs. Perhaps Laryea wasn’t happy. He is a good coach, and if he explains his reasons, it might make sense. But resigning from the U-17 team wasn’t a good move because many of us and Ghanaians had faith in him,” Taylor added.
Maxwell Konadu has previously served as an assistant coach for the Black Stars, bringing valuable experience to the table. Karim Zito has a strong reputation for leading youth national teams to success, while Yaw Preko is well-known for his successful stint with Great Olympics in the Ghana Premier League.
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