Coach Otto Addo has unveiled the 23-man Black Stars squad for the upcoming Unity Cup 2025 in London, marking a significant step in Ghana’s football development strategy. The squad features a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers, reflecting Addo’s commitment to fostering competition and rejuvenating the national team.
Notably, five players have earned their first senior call-ups: goalkeeper Joseph Tetteh Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic, Ireland), Abdul Aziz Issah (Barcelona B), Aaron Essel (North Texas SC, USA), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjælland, Denmark), and Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium). These selections underscore Addo’s focus on integrating emerging talent into the team’s framework.
In addition to the debutants, the squad sees the return of key players such as midfielder Abdul Samed Salis (Sunderland), forward Felix Afena-Gyan, and Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), all of whom are poised to make significant contributions following periods of absence due to injury or other factors. The inclusion of home-based players like Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Kamaradini Mamudu (Medeama SC), and Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko) highlights the coaching staff’s recognition of domestic league talent.
Coach Addo emphasized the importance of the Unity Cup as a platform to evaluate players ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. He stated, “These two matches are extremely important for the team… this is a great opportunity to give some of our young players a chance to prove themselves.” The Black Stars are scheduled to face Nigeria on Wednesday, May 28, at the Gtech Community Stadium in West London, with the winner advancing to the final against either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, May 31.
Amid these developments, former Ghana international Charles Taylor has publicly criticized the Ghana Football Association (GFA), questioning the competence of its leadership and the selection of technical staff. Taylor expressed concerns over the qualifications of certain appointments and called for a restructuring to enhance the team’s performance. He remarked, “I want to know if the GFA or Otto Addo decides the backroom staff, because the current team won’t help him succeed,” urging the inclusion of more experienced professionals in the coaching setup.
Taylor’s comments reflect a broader discourse on the direction of Ghanaian football, emphasizing the need for strategic leadership and effective management to harness the country’s rich footballing talent. As the Black Stars prepare for the Unity Cup, these discussions underscore the significance of cohesive planning and execution in achieving success on the international stage.
For a detailed overview of Coach Otto Addo’s squad announcement and Charles Taylor’s remarks, please refer to the following source:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZLe8AiPE_P0%3Fshowinfo%3D0
