Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has axed the team’s captain, Andre Ayew, from his 26-man squad to face Mali and Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next month.
Addo, who unveiled his squad on May 29 at a press briefing, explained that he had a lengthy chat with the Ghana record appearance holder ahead of the decision.
“I had a long chat with Andre and gave him the reason why he is not in the squad,” he explained. “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’s not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have big respect for him.”
Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko shot-stopper Frederick Asare is the only locally-based player who made it to the 26-man squad.
There have been calls from a section of football lovers in Ghana to include local players in the Black Star squad call-ups over the years.
In the 2006 World Cup in Germany in particular, local players like Shilla Illiasu from Asante Kotoko, Habib Mohammed from King Faisal Babes, George Owu from Ashanti Gold and Daniel Quaye from Hearts of Oak made their mark at the tournament.
However, there have also been arguments about the level of the local league and the form of the current players.
Baba Iddrisu, Inaki Williams, Majeed Ashimeru, Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Denis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey are all unavailable for the two games due to their injury concerns.
Here 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, Ibrahim 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.
Ghana will face Mali on June 6 before facing the Central African Republic on June 10.