Black Stars Squad for Word Cup Qualifiers Against Chad and Mali: Andre Ayew Snubbed Again
- Ghana skipper Andre ''Dede'' Ayew has suffered another big blow as Black Stars squad drops for the upcoming World Cup fixtures
- Otto Addo has named a balanced squad, blending experienced campaigners with vibrant young talents, all of whom are in impressive form
- The end is near for the former the ex-Marseille and West Ham winger's international football career
Ghanaian football legend Andre Ayew has been left out of the Black Stars squad again for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.
On Tuesday, head coach Otto Addo announced the team for the crucial fixtures scheduled for September 4 and 8, 2025, and Ayew’s omission has become a major talking point.
Source: Getty Images
The 35-year-old forward has been a mainstay in the Black Stars for over a decade, amassing 120 caps and scoring 24 goals, according to Wikipedia.
However, his recent struggles at club level have significantly affected his international career. Ayew parted ways with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre this summer and is yet to secure a new club.
It was always going to be difficult for Otto Addo to call up a player without a team, especially with the qualifiers entering a decisive phase. Still, the exclusion represents a major blow for the former captain, whose dream of appearing at another World Cup now hangs by a thread.
His continuous absence from recent call-ups suggests that Otto Addo is building a squad without him. According to Flashscore, Dede's last appearance for the Ghana national football team was during the 2-2 friendly draw between the Black Stars and Uganda on March 26, 2024.
For now, the former Ghana captain, who has been urged to sign for Hearts of Oak, faces the biggest challenge of his career: finding a club, regaining top-level fitness, and hoping for one last dance on the world stage.
Source: Getty Images
Ghana on course for World Cup qualification
Meanwhile, the Black Stars are in a strong position in their qualifying group after six matches. They currently lead the standings with 15 points, three ahead of second-placed Comoros, who have 12 points.
With two important games coming up, Ghana will be aiming to consolidate their lead and move closer to securing one of Africa’s nine spots for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Otto Addo’s squad features in-form players who have been actively competing at the highest level in Europe and beyond. The coach is expected to rely on consistency, fitness, and tactical balance as Ghana faces Mali and Chad in matches that could decide the group’s fate.
Check out the full Ghana squad for the games against Chad and Mali below.
Goalkeepers
Lawrence Ati Zigi — St. Gallen
Joseph Anang — St. Patrick's Athletic
Benjamin Asare — Accra Hearts of Oak
Defenders
Gideon Mensah — AJ Auxerre
Derrick Arthur Köhn — Union Berlin
Mohammed Salisu — AS Monaco
Jerome Opoku — İstanbul Başakşehir
Alexander Djiku — Fenerbahçe
Jonas Adjetey — FC Basel
Tariq Lamptey — Brighton and Hove Albion
Caleb Yirenkyi — FC Nordsjaelland
Midfielders
Elisha Owusu — AJ Auxerre
Mohammed Kudus — Tottenham Hotspur
Ibrahim Osman — AJ Auxerre
Ibrahim Sulemana — Atalanta BC
Thomas Partey — Villarreal CF
Abdul Salis Samed — OGC Nice
Forwards
Antoine Semenyo — AFC Bournemouth
Kamaldeen Sulemana — Atalanta BC
Joseph Paintsil — LA Galaxy
Jerry Afriyie — RAAL La Louvière
Jordan Ayew — Leicester City
Christopher Bonsu Baah — Al-Qadsiah
Iñaki Williams — Athletic Club
Why Andre Ayew was dropped
YEN.com.gh earlier reported extensively on the reason Otto Addo omitted Andre Ayew from the Black Stars squad that contested the World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March of thie year.
The Ghanaian team dispatched Chad 5-0 in Accra and Madagascar 3-0 in Morocco to take a commanding lead in their qualifying group.
Source: YEN.com.gh
