Black Stars coach, Otto Addo
The announcement of Ghana’s 25-man squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali has once again sparked a heated debate among fans and pundits.
While some have welcomed the return of key names like Thomas Partey and Kamaldeen Sulemana, others have questioned the omission of certain “in-form players” as well as the inclusion of some regulars whose recent performances have been inconsistent.
Discussions on radio, television and social media have seen fans argue over whether Otto Addo’s list truly represents the best available Ghanaian talent at the moment.
But according to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), every decision taken was the result of a structured process led by the technical team.
Speaking on Happy FM, Henry Asante Twum, revealed the meticulous steps that guided the selection.
“For this particular window, the technical team decided to call up the players they feel they need and who can help in those two games. A lot of times they go through vigorous processes. First is the pool of players, based on those who have been called or missed out in the last five or six call-ups,” he explained.
He further revealed that eligibility is the first factor considered, with injuries and suspensions weighed before performance data is reviewed.
“The first thing they consider is eligibility, injuries or suspensions. When they establish that no one is injured or suspended, then they discuss individual performances based on the data available to them,” he noted.
Asante Twum also stressed that the club a player represents does not influence the decision.
“Where a player plays is not part of the criteria. It’s about the quality of the player and what he is bringing on board,” he said.
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The final stage, he added, involves detailed player comparisons to determine who is best suited for each role in Otto Addo’s system.
The Black Stars will face Chad in N’Djamena on September 4, 2025, before hosting Mali in Accra on September 8, 2025, as they continue their push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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