The Black Stars gaffer has named several young and promising footballers in his maiden squad as they prepare to face Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs
Ghana coach Otto Addo has named several youngsters in the Black Stars squad to face Nigeria in 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off game later this month.
Notable among these players include France-based midfielder Osman Bukari and Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo who has been on fire in the English Championship.
The 22-year-old who was born in London to Ghanaian parents was approached by Otto Addo and some Ghana FA officials which he finally accepted to switch nationality since he was eligible to also represent England.
Semenyo won the EFL Championship Player of the Month award for January 2022 after scoring three goals and providing three assists.
Again, Dutch-born defender of Ghanaian descent Leeroy Owusu, who was born to Ghanaian parents in England has been called.
Owusu moved to Netherlands at a younger age and has previously represented Netherlands at the youth level. However, after making 23 league appearances for Willem II in Dutch Eredivisie this season, Ghana FA has succeeded in his national switch with FIFA.
Also, Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori has been named as part of the three goalkeepers to face Nigeria. The shot-stopper recently recovered from an injury he sustained against South Africa last year which eventually led to his absence from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He will fight for the number spot with Jojo Wollacot and Hearts of Oak’s Richard Attah.
Hearts of Oak defender Dennis Korsah, who recently joined the Phobians from Ebusua Dwarfs, has been put on standby.
Korsah been in fine form in the Ghana Premier League called and his performance has gone unnoticed.
He has won two Man of the Match awards after five games in the Premier League and he joins Dutch-born defender of Ghanaian descent Leeroy Owusu who has also been given a maiden call up.
Although, a lot of Ghanaians are hoping that Aduana Stars striker Bright Agyei who has scored 12 goals in Ghana Premier League get a call up but the coaches are not fully convinced.
Last week, reports emerged that Otto Addo has dropped seven players who were part of the Black Stars squad that participated in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of 2022 Fifa World Cup playoffs against Nigeria later this year and Kamaldeen’s injury could become a major worry.
Notable among the names dropped include Andre Ayew and box-to-box midfielder Wakaso Mubarak who could not kick a ball at the Afcon due to injury concerns.
Ayew, in particular, has been dropped because of suspension as he picked a red card against Comoros in the final game of the group stage at the Afcon.
Also, former Dreams FC player Philimon Baffour who has constantly been chastised by Ghanaians for his inclusion in the Black Stars has finally been dropped alongside RTU midfielder David Abagna Sandan.
Also, Yeni Malatyspor striker Benjamin Tetteh has been dropped following his ban by CAF after he was captured on camera for hitting a Gabonese player at the Afcon.
The others include Great Olympics forward Maxwell Abbey Quaye and St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi for poor run of performance. The shot-stopper, in particular, has been constantly conceding goals (44) in 23 games in the Swiss Premier League.
Thomas Teye Partey will be the new captain for Ghana against Nigeria but Andre Ayew is expected to join the players in camp during the international break even though he will not play part of the games.