2025 UNITY CUP: Partey, Kudus Omitted As Otto Addo Names 23-Man Black Stars Squad
Ghana’s Black Stars will be without deputy captain Thomas Partey and talisman Mohammed Kudus for the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup in London, England, after head coach Otto Addo announced a 23-man squad for the tournament.
Partey, who recently scored against Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, has been left out despite playing a key role in Ghana’s latest international outings. The Arsenal midfielder will miss the four-nation tournament, which begins just three days after the conclusion of the English Premier League season.
Kudus, who capped off his Premier League campaign with a goal for West Ham on the final day, has also been excused, despite remaining a crucial asset to the Black Stars setup.
The squad includes five debutants, notably Barcelona’s rising talent Abdul Aziz Issah. Among the notable returnees are Abdul Salis Samed, back from injury, Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku—earning his first call-up since 2021—and Felix Afena-Gyan, returning to the national fold for the first time since 2022.
Captain Jordan Ayew leads a group of familiar names, including Gideon Mensah, Mohammed Salisu, and Benjamin Asare, who all retain their places from the previous call-up.
The Black Stars are already in London for the Unity Cup, which features Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Ghana opens their campaign against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on May 28. The winner will advance to the final, while the loser will compete for third place.
Credit: Haruna Mubarak
