Otto Addo has named a 26-man Black Stars squad for Ghana's back-to-back international friendlies against Austria and Germany later this month, with four players earning maiden call-ups as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup move into full swing.
Ghana face Austria in Vienna on March 27th before travelling to Stuttgart to face Germany on March 30.
Four Fresh Faces
The headline news from the squad announcement is the debut call-ups handed to four new faces, each bringing different experience and backgrounds to the fold.
Derrick Luckassen, a centre-back for Pafos FC in Cyprus, is a product of AZ Alkmaar's academy and has previously played for PSV, Hertha BSC, Anderlecht, Kasımpaşa, Fatih Karagümrük, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He recently won the 2024-25 Cypriot league title and scored Pafos' first-ever Champions League goal.
Marvin Senaya, who plays for French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre, earns his first call-up following spells at Strasbourg, Sochaux, and Lausanne-Sport since making his professional debut in 2021. He is also eligible to play for Togo and has been included in their call-up for the March international window.
However, the Ghana Football Association are confident he will choose the Black Stars.
Daniel Agyei, a forward and winger for Turkish club Kocaelispor, was born in England and previously featured for Leyton Orient, Crewe Alexandra, Oxford United, and Burnley before moving to Turkey.
Patrick Pfeiffer, a defender with German second-tier side Darmstadt 98, completes the quartet of new faces.
Key Returns
Alongside the debutants, Inaki Williams, Ibrahim Sulemana, Thomas Partey, and Alexander Djiku all return to the squad.
The returns of Partey and Williams in particular will be welcomed by supporters, with Partey bringing his vast experience from Villarreal, and Williams arriving on the back of a landmark 500th appearance for Athletic Club last weekend.
Antoine Semenyo retains his place in the forward line, with the Manchester City winger in the form of his life following his Premier League Player of the Month award for February.
Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Christopher Bonsu Baah also feature among the attacking options.
The Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick's Athletic)
Defenders: Patrick Pfeiffer (Darmstadt 98), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC), Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers: Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Inaki Williams (Athletic Club), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor)
Notable Absences
The squad is without several key players through injury. Mohammed Kudus, Mohammed Salisu, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Ernest Nuamah, and Abu Francis all miss out, as does veteran Andre Ayew, who last represented the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Bigger Picture
The matches against Austria and Germany serve as vital dress rehearsals ahead of what Ghana hope will be their most successful World Cup in over a decade.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia for the Mundial set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico later this year.
