Otto Addo has announced a 25-man Black Stars squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 Group F qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The squad features three home-based players who have impressed in the ongoing 2024/25 Ghana Premier League: Isaac Afful (FC Samartex 1996), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), and Emmanuel Antwi (Asante Kotoko) are the home based players.
Also in the squad is France-based Nathaniel Adjei who plays for Ligue 2 side FC Lorient. KAS Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, is returning to the team after over a year's absence.
However, Thomas Partey has been left out of the squad for the games with the coach citing private discussions aimed at "protecting" the player.
Although Partey, the Arsenal midfielder and Black Stars captain, is fit, Addo disclosed that the exclusion was a mutual decision following a confidential conversation between the two.
“I had a confidential talk with Thomas. I am the coach who always wants to protect the players,” Addo told reporters.
He added, “I am not going to tell you the internal issues, but I made it quite clear to him; he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he's not coming.” His comments suggest the decision was not based on Partey’s fitness, but rather on a shared understanding to preserve the player’s best interests.
Addo further explained that the details of their discussion would remain private, noting, “It’s difficult for me to mention all the things, so maybe we have to move on.”
Partey’s absence from these crucial qualifiers has led to a reshuffle in the Black Stars’ leadership, with Jordan Ayew assuming the captaincy.
Initially, Addo had intended to appoint Partey as the captain for these matches to guide the team. “The initiative was to make Thomas the captain of the team and for him to guide the team, to lead the team,” he revealed. With Partey absent, Addo has looked to younger players like Mohammed Kudus to take on larger leadership roles, though he emphasised Kudus would need time to grow into the responsibility.
To qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament, Ghana must secure victories against Angola and Niger and hope Sudan drops points in their final matches.
The Black Stars face Angola in Luanda on Friday, November 15, before hosting Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, 2024.
