Unity Cup: Coach Otto Addo Names 23-Man Squad Ahead of Nigeria Clash in London

• Ghana coach Otto Addo has announced a 23-man squad ahead of the Unity Cup in London
• The Black Stars will face the Super Eagles in their opening match at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford on Wednesday, May 28
• Addo’s squad includes four home-based players and 19 foreign-based players, among them Abdul Aziz Issah and Aaron Essel, who featured at the recently concluded U20 AFCON

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has announced a strong squad to face Nigeria in the Unity Cup on Wednesday, May 28.

Sunderland midfielder Abdul Samed Salis, Anderlecht’s Majeed Ashimeru, and Juventus Next Gen forward Felix Afena-Gyan are all making their return to the team.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, West Ham’s versatile attacker Mohammed Kudus, and Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo are conspicuously missing from the squad.

Jordan Ayew leads the attack for Black Stars

Experienced forward Jordan Ayew will lead the Black Stars of Ghana against Nigeria, stepping up in the absence of several high-profile stars.

According to Ghana FA, FC Nordsjaelland prospect Caleb Yirenkyi and Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini have been named in the squad.

Abdul Aziz Issah and Aaron Essel, who impressed at the U20 AFCON in Egypt, have earned their first senior call-ups.

Four home-based players also made the list: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Kamaradini Mamudu (Medeama SC), and Kwame Opoku (Asante Kotoko).

Meanwhile, Ghana officially opened their training camp in London on Sunday, May 25, ahead of the Unity Cup per Punch.

The tournament will serve as preparation for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali in September.

Ghana Black Stars squad for 2025 Unity Cup

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Tetten Anang

Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Ebenezer Annan, Mohammed Salisu, Stephen Ambrosius, Aaron Essel, Razak Simpson, Mamudu Kamaradini, Caleb Yirenkyi

Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru, Abdul Salis Samed, Ibrahim Sulemana, Abu Francis, Lawrence Agyekum, Abdul Aziz Issah, Christopher Baah Bonsu

Attackers: Jordan Ayew, Felix Afena-Gyan, Thomas Asante, Kwame Opoku, Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini

Mixed reactions trail the 23-man list

Legit.ng compiled reactions from Ghanaian fans who expressed dissatisfaction with the squad list released by coach Otto Addo. Read below:

@ibrahim_badd wrote:

"You couldn’t call Kamaldeen younger brother who plays at Randers, but called on a bench warmer Salis, who barely gets playing time at Sunderland. This be low low kraa."

@edem_willz said:

"This squad won’t even beat Togo, let alone Nigeria. What sort of joke is this?"

@edem_willz added:

"If u guys don’t have a legit full squad to play these games, u should’ve just pulled out. Stop joking with our country’s name."

Chelle explains the choice of two squads

Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle announced two squads to partake in the team's upcoming games in the 2025 Unity Cup and the international friendly against Russia.

Chelle explained why he had separate squads for the different matches and why one of the teams was dominated by NPFL players.

He delivered on his words of wanting to access many players before the must-win final four games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September and October.

Source: Legit.ng