Otto Addo: I’m not afraid to bench any player

Ghana coach Otto Addo has made it clear that he is not afraid to bench any player, including star midfielder Mohammed Kudus, based solely on performance.

Speaking to journalists after naming a 25-man squad for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger, Addo stressed that his decisions are driven by individual form, not club status or player reputation.

Addo made bold choices in his latest squad, including dropping Thomas Partey and handing the captaincy to Jordan Ayew, replacing Kudus in the role.

He emphasized that player selection is based on merit: “It’s not about local or non-local. It’s about performance. If you train well, why should I leave you on the bench? If I think you are better than anyone, Kudus or whoever, then why should I let him play?”

The Black Stars coach added, “I want to win. I’m not doing anything just to please somebody. And to be honest, I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid to put anyone on the bench. But I’m looking at the performance.”

The Black Stars are set to face Angola in an away match on Friday, November 15, 2024, before hosting Niger in Accra three days later.

Ghana’s squad for the qualifiers includes West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, and Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams.

Goalkeepers Lawrence Ati Zigi, Joseph Wollacott, and Abdul Nurudeen are also part of the team. Defenders include Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey, Alexander Djiku, and Gideon Mensah. In midfield, Elisha Owusu, Michael Baidoo, Ibrahim Sulemana, Ibrahim Osman, and Francis Abu will feature.

Three players from the Ghana Premier League have also earned call-ups: Isaac Afful of FC Samartex, Emmanuel Antwi of Asante Kotoko, and Razak Simpson of Nations FC.