New-look Black Stars for Mexico test: Ashimeru, Afena-Gyan return
New Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has unveiled a bold and experimental first squad for Ghana’s international friendly against Mexico later this month, handing opportunities to returning stars, emerging talents and potential debutants in an experimental squad for Ghana’s international friendly against Mexico later this month.
The Portuguese trainer named a 23-man squad for the clash at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium, with six home-based players earning places, and notable recalls for Majeed Ashimeru and Felix Afena-Gyan after lengthy periods away from the senior national team.
Big-name absentees
With the May 23 fixture falling outside FIFA’s international calendar, several established stars, including captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, Kwasi Sibo and goalkeeper Benjamin Asare have been left out.
Instead, Queiroz has used the fixture as an opportunity to widen his player pool and assess fringe options ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ghana face a daunting Group L campaign against England, Croatia and Panama.
The Mexico friendly also arrives at a delicate moment for the Portuguese tactician, who has spent recent weeks touring Europe to monitor players since taking charge last month on a short-term contract. He is expected to use the Mexico trip to assess depth options amid growing injury concerns surrounding the influential duo of Mohammed Kudus and Mohammed Salisu, who have been ruled out of Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
New prospects
One of the headline inclusions is Brazil-based winger Francis Amuzu, who earns his first Black Stars call-up after committing his international future to Ghana.
The former Belgium youth international, whose father Theophilus Amuzu once played for Hearts of Oak and Ghana’s youth sides, ends months of speculation over his international future and could finally make his long-awaited Ghana debut..
Also attracting attention are San Diego FC utility defender Manu Duah, Stoke City winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Granada CF defender Oscar Naasei Oppong, all of whom could make their senior Ghana debuts.
Duah, a former University of California standout and MLS first-round draft pick, is valued for his versatility across defence and midfield, while Rak-Sakyi — previously capped by England at youth level — arrives with a growing reputation for pace and creativity.
Queiroz has also cast an eye firmly towards the future, naming several members of Ghana’s squad from the recent U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt under assistant coach Desmond Ofei.
Dreams FC goalkeeper Gidios Aseako, Anderlecht Futures defender Dacosta Antwi, Dundee United midfielder Emmanuel Agyei, Barcelona B talent Abdul Aziz Issah and Zulte-Waregem forward Joseph Opoku all receive senior recognition.
Ajax reserve goalkeeper Paul Reverson, who previously featured for the Black Satellites, could also make his senior debut.
Local representation
The Ghana Premier League also enjoys strong representation in the squad. Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, Dreams FC defender Ebenezer Adade, Nations FC centre-back Razak Simpson and Hearts of Lions defender Ebenezer Abban all secured places, while Medeama SC midfielder Salim Adams (one of the domestic league’s standout performers with 11 goals this season) has also been rewarded.
Perhaps, the most intriguing returns, however, are those of Ashimeru and Afena-Gyan. Belgium-based playmaker Ashimeru has struggled with recurring muscle injuries and has not featured prominently for Ghana since last year’s Unity Cup in London against Trinidad and Tobago.
However, with Kudus sidelined, the 28-year-old the La Louvière midfielder could now have a golden opportunity to revive his Black Stars career.
Afena-Gyan, 23, currently with Turkish side Amedspor, also returns after more than a year away from the national team setup, alongside Birmingham City winger Ibrahim Osman and AS Saint-Étienne defender Ebenezer Annan.
The Black Stars are scheduled to depart for Mexico on Friday, May 22, with the friendly expected to provide the clearest indication yet of Queiroz’s thinking before he names his provisional World Cup squad in the coming days ahead of FIFA’s June 1 deadline.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers
Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Paul Reverson (Ajax FC), Gidios Aseako (Dreams FC)
Defenders
Oscar Oppong (Granada), Ebenezer Adade (Dreams FC), Ebenezer Annan (St Etienne), Manu Duah (San Diego FC), Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient), Razak Simpson (Nations FC) Dacosta Antwi (Anderlecht Futures), Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions)
Midfielders
Emmanuel Edjei (Dundee United), Abdul Aziz Issah (Barcelona B), Augustine Boakye (St Etienne), Majeed Ashimeru (La Louviere), Rak-Sakyi Jesurun (Stoke City), Salim Adams (Medeama SC)
Forwards/Wingers
Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor), Felix Afena-Gyan (Amedspor), Ibrahim Osman (Birmingham City), Prince Amoako (Nordsjaelland), Francis Amuzu (Gremio), Joseph Opoku (Zulte-Waregem)
