Inaki Williams back, Andre Ayew excluded as Otto Addo names squad for 2025 AFCON qualifiers

Head Coach of Black Stars, Otto Addo has unveiled his 23-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger, which are set for early next month.

The players are expected to gather by Monday, September 2, 2024, to begin their preparations for the qualifiers. The matches are scheduled to be played on September 5 in Kumasi and September 10 in Berkane.

Addo’s selection maintains the core of the team with no major surprises. Notable players like Thomas Partey, Kudus Mohammed, Jordan Ayew, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku have all been included.

Kingsley Schindler, who plays in Turkey, Anderlecht’s Majeed Ashimeru, winger Joseph Painstil, and Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams are back in the squad after missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

Also included are Brighton & Hove Albion full-back Tariq Lamptey and Cercle Brugge midfielder Francis Abu.

Captain Andre Ayew and Daniel Amartey have been left out of this squad.

The Black Stars will start their AFCON qualifying campaign against Angola on Thursday, September 5, at the Baba Yara Stadium, followed by a match against Niger on September 9 in Berkane.

The team last met in June, where they achieved consecutive wins over Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Below is the full list.