Black Stars squad for Chad, Madagascar clashes announced - Benjamin Asare gets deserved nod

Black Stars coach Otto Addo has announced his 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In the goalkeepers' department, Hearts of Oak shot-stopper Benjamin Asare, who has arguably been the best in the post for the past two seasons has been handed a maiden call-up for impressing in the Ghana Premier League.

However, Manaf Nurudeen has been left out due to injury with Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Wollacott maintaining their positions.

Preferred center-back pairing Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku return after missing the last couple of games due to injuries. Local-based players Razak Simpson of Nations FC and Medeama’s Kamaradini Mamudu have been called up again after impressive debuts.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, albeit not the team’s captain anymore, returns in midfield alongside in-form Ernest Nuamah and star boy Mohammed Kudus.

Ghana is spoilt for choice in attack with Black Satellites striker Jerry Afriyie receiving a second senior team call-up after netting in his debut appearance. Kamaldeen Sulemana makes a comeback, and Christopher Bonsu Baah from Genk is also in the mix.

Familiar names including the team’s new skipper Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, and Antoine Semenyo complete the forwards.

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Goalkeepers

Lawrence Ati-Zigi (Fc St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Crawley Town), and Benjamin Asare (Hearts Of Oak).

Defenders

Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre)

Ebenezer Annan (Red Star Belgrade), Mohammed Salisu (As Monaco)

Jerome Opoku (Istandul Basaksehir), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahçe)

Jonas Adjetey (FCBasel)

Razak Simpson (Nations FC)

Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor), Kamaradini Mamudu (Medeama SC)

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC)

Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)

Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)

Kudus Mohammed (West Ham United), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon)

Forwards

Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth)

Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)

Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)

Jerry Afriyie (CD Lugo)

Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Christopher Bonsu Baah (Genk)

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The Black Stars will take on Chad on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium before travelling to take on Madagascar three days later in Morocco on Monday, March 24, 2025.