The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has explained that injuries were a major factor behind the absence of several key players from the Black Stars squad for the 2025 Unity Cup.
The players exempted from the squad include Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Ernest Nuamah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Alexander Djiku, among others.
Speaking on this, the GFA indicated that some players were unable to join the team because their clubs’ seasons had not ended, while others had conversations with head coach Otto Addo to excuse themselves for personal reasons.
Read the GFA’s statement on absentees in the squad below:
Jerome Opoku, Kingsley Schindler, Alexander Djiku (Not released, Turkish season has not ended)
Joseph Paintsil and Osman Buakri (MLS ongoing)
Jonas Adjetey has Swiss Cup final on June 1, 2025, with FC Basel
Injuries: Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Abdul Mumin, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Ernest Nuamah, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Inaki Williams.
Minor knocks: Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Ransford Yeboah Konigsdorfer.
Thomas Partey and Michael Baidoo have been given a break by the head coach.
However, the statement was silent on the absence of André Dede Ayew, whom Otto Addo had said is a profile he does not prefer in his team since his second return.
The Black Stars will compete in a four-nation tournament with a high-profile semi-final clash against longtime West African rivals Nigeria, scheduled for May 28, 2025, at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, with a kick-off time of 19:00 GMT.
SB/EB
Meanwhile, watch as ADISEC win the 4×200 Boys finals at the 23rd Annual Inter schools and colleges