2023 AFCON Q: No local player included in latest Black Stars call up for Madagascar clash

For the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, Black Stars coach Chris Hughton has excluded any players based in Ghana from his latest 24-man squad. The match is scheduled to take place next month.

Despite his promise to closely monitor local players for future call-ups, Hughton seems to have deemed their performances as falling short of his requirements. Instead, he has opted to invite a group of foreign-based players, including the talented Ernest Nuamah, who has been in sensational form for FC Nordjaelland in the Danish Super League.

The squad also sees the return of Alidu Seidu, a versatile defender from Clermont Foot, as well as Kwesi Okyere Wriedt, who previously featured in Ghana’s doubleheader against Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup qualification playoffs.

Below is the 24-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)

Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)

Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).