3 local stars named for 2025 AFCON Qualifiers Against Angola and Niger

Head Coach Otto Addo has named his 25-man squad for Ghana’s crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Angola and Niger.
With Ghana’s AFCON qualification prospects appearing slim, Coach Addo has included three home-based players: Samartex defender Isaac Afful, Asante Kotoko midfielder Emmanuel Antwi, and Nations FC defender Razak Simpson.

Squad highlights
Despite recent challenges at West Ham, Mohammed Kudus returns to the squad.
Kudus, who captained the Black Stars in their last two matches, will again play a leading role in the upcoming games.
Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, in strong form this season, has also been called up alongside first-team regulars Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Alexander Djiku, Alidu Seidu, and Tariq Lamptey.
Notably absent is Black Stars’ captain, Thomas Partey, who missed the last round of qualifiers.
Coach Addo’s side currently sits third in Group F with two points, needing a near-miraculous outcome to advance.
Angola leads with 12 points, followed by Sudan with seven, while Niger trails with a single point.

Fixture schedule
The Black Stars are set to face group leader Angola at Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday, November 15, 2024, before returning home to host Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on November 18.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers
Joseph Wollacot, Abdul Nurudeen, Lawrence Ati-zigi

Defenders
Alexander Djiku, Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey, Nathaniel Adjei, Jerome Opoku, Gideon Mensah, Isaac Afful, Razak Simpson

Midfielders
Mohammed Kudus, Abu Francis, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Michael Baidoo, Emmanuel Antwi, Ernest Nuamah

Forwards
Fatawu Issahaku, Joseph Paintil, Ibrahim Osman, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew
With these two pivotal matches on the horizon, Ghanaian fans are hopeful that the Black Stars can defy the odds and clinch a spot in next year’s tournament.