Ghana have finally released their 27-man squad for this week’s showdown against Nigeria in the decisive 2022 World Cup playoff with four debutantes Felix Afena-Gyan, Denis Odoi Dennis Korsah and Elisha Owusu named for the two matches against Super Eagles.
Two key players Mohammed Kudus and goalkeeper Richard Ofori who missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon two months ago are back in the squad for the two-legged matches to be played in Kumasi and Abuja over the next one week.
Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew was named the squad despite being hit with Covid while playing for his English side.
The two key players return after missing the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon earlier this year due to injuries.
The 27 players invited by coach Otto Addo includes three debutants namely Odoi and Owusu who had been revealed by Ghanasoccernet.com as players to be handed their maiden call-ups.
Both players who play in Belgium were not born in Ghana but have Ghanaian roots through their fathers.
Odoi, a former Fulham defender has earned his first invitation, at age of 33 after playing for youth teams of Belgium and making one appearance for the senior side.
French-born Owusu is 24 and hasn’t tasted international football before. He could make his international debut against the Super Eagles.
The first debutant is AS Roma sensation Afena-Gyan, the youngster who has previously turned down invitations to join the Black Stars, who will be chasing his first appearance for the Black Stars.
The fourth debutant is Heart of Oak defender Dennis Korsah who is enjoying an impressive in the Ghana Premier League.
Otto Addo called up four goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, four wingers and four forwards.
Crystal Palace man Jordan Ayew has been included despite multiple reports claiming he has tested positive for coronavirus and is a major doubt for the tie.
Also in the squad is Arsenal star Thomas Partey who will captain the team in the absence of the suspended Andre Ayew.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh who has scored six goals in his last seven games for German side St Pauli has been added by Addo.
Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo has been rewarded with a call-up because of his recent impressive performances in the Spanish top-flight.
Columbus Crew attacker Yaw Yeboah has been recalled after he shockingly missed the Affcon in Cameroon.
France-based winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is injured and has not been included.
The Black Stars began preparations on Monday. Seven players reported for first training at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Partey was among the seven players spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Young winger Fatawu Issahaku, who is now based in Portugal, Edmund Addo, goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott, right-back Andy Yiadom and Abdul Manaf Nurudeen were also present.
The training was supervised by the technical team led by head coach Otto Addo with support from his technical advisor Chris Hughton, assistant coaches Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng as well goalkeepers’ trainer Richard Kingston.
They will travel to Kumasi on Tuesday to continue their preparations.
The team will train on three occasions in Kumasi. Their first training is on Tuesday evening, another session on Wednesday before their final training on Thursday.
After the final training, coach Otto Addo and some players will interact with the media at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium media centre ahead of the first leg clash on Friday, March 25, 2022.
The return leg will be played four days later in Abuja at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
