Accra, May 30, 2024 – Ghanaian Coach Otto Addo, has made changes in Ghana’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Central African Republic, handing first senior call-ups to midfielders Ibrahim Sulemana and Brandon Thomas-Asante while excluding captain Andre Ayew.
Cagliari’s Sulemana, 21, and 25-year-old West Brom striker, Thomas-Asante, are the new faces in Addo’s 26-man squad as the Black Stars head coach looks to freshen up his ranks.
England -born Thomas-Asante has earned his chance on the back of an impressive 11-goal haul in the English Championship this season. There is also a return for influential Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, who was absent for Ghana’s matches in March’s international window.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, veteran forward Andre Ayew has been omitted from the squad despite recently netting a brilliant consolation goal for Le Havre against Paris St Germain.
The 34-year-old former Marseille frontman was recalled by Addo in March but appears to have slipped out of favour again as Ghana’s new era gathers pace.
Addo is clearly keen to put his own stamp on the Black Stars after being handed the reins on a permanent basis following an interim spell last year.
His squad overhaul also sees a first call-up for Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare, the only home-based player included. Addo’s future planning is aimed at securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with only the winners of Group I guaranteed to progress automatically.
Ghana currently sit third in the section after a 1-0 home win over Madagascar was followed by a 1-0 defeat against the Comoros in their first two qualifiers back in November.
Next up is a tough trip to Bamako to face Mali on 6 June, before the Black Stars return to Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium to host Central African Republic four days later.
Despite their underwhelming showing at January’s Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana remain one of the favourites to top the group and book their place at a fifth World Cup finals.
The squad 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 Istanbul), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion),
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari Calcio), Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis), Thomas Partey (FC Arsenal), Elisha Owusu ( AJ Auxerre), Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)
Forwards: Osman Bukari (RS Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, loan from Sporting CP), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland), Kamaldeen Sulemana (FC Southampton), and Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich).
