Ghana Captain Andre Ayew Dropped As Coach Otto Addo Names Black Stars Squad For World Cup Qualifiers Against Mali And CAR

Otto Addo, head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, has announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Ghana will face Mali and Central African Republic in their next two games of the qualifying series for the next edition of the global showpiece.

The Black Stars will face Mali on June 6, 2024, at Bamako’s Stade 26 Mars, followed by a home game against Central African Republic on June 10, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

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.

The Black Stars aim to bounce back from recent setbacks, having recorded one win and one loss in their first two matches of the World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana started the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in Kumasi but suffered a similar defeat to Comoros in Moroni.

With concerns over their form, having failed to secure a win in 2024 with two losses and three draws, the Black Stars are eager to turn things around.

They faced early elimination in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage and could not secure victories in international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in Morocco.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach returned to the touchline for the Black Stars full-time after an agreement between the German club and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

 

Black Stars’ call-up

Ghana captain Andre Ayew was not invited for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and the Central African Republic.

His omission was confirmed on Wednesday when coach Otto Addo named the squad.

This decision comes as a surprise given that Ayew finished the just-ended season on a high, scoring six goals as Le Havre secured their place in the French Ligue 1.

Ayew, a regular for Ghana since his debut in 2007, has faced criticism in recent times whenever he plays for the national team.

Calls for his immediate exit from the team grew louder after Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Despite this, Otto Addo included Ayew in the squad for the March friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda, indicating a willingness to work with the skipper.

However, Addo has now made a U-turn, dropping Ayew, which could suggest that the former Marseille star may not have a future with the national team.

Ayew struggled at Nottingham Forest before joining Le Havre, where he impressed and earned praise.

Therefore, his exclusion is difficult to judge based purely on performance. Otto Addo may be looking to change the direction of the Black Stars, who haven’t won a game this year, by giving younger players like Mohammed Kudus more responsibility.

Ayew has made a record 120 appearances and scored 24 goals for Ghana.

Baba Rahman’s anticipated return to the Black Stars has been dispelled as he’s left out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

The left-back had previously withdrawn from the team before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to focus on club football.

This decision proved fruitful as he played a key role in PAOK’s triumph in the Greek Super League, scoring six goals and providing three assists from his defensive position.

Despite his impressive form, coach Otto Addo’s squad announcement on Wednesday did not include the former Chelsea defender.

Rahman, currently on holiday in Ghana, remains supportive of the team despite his exclusion.

Preparations for the upcoming matches will kick off on Thursday as the team enter camp.

 

Below is the full list as revealed by Addo:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Wollacott, Frederick Asare.

Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Ebenezer Annan, Mohammed Salisu, Jerome Opoku, Abdul Mumin, Alexander Djiku and Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey

Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Salis Samed, Ibragim Sulemana, Thomas Partey, Edmund Addo, Elisha Owusu and Abu Francis.

Forwards: Osman Bukari, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Ibrahim Osman Kamaldeen Sumenana and Brandon Thomas-Asante.

 

 

 

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