Sowah a surprise inclusion for Black Stars

by Staff Reporter

Monday Nov 14, 2022. 18:00

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has announced his 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, which saw the surprise inclusion of uncapped Club Brugge striker Kamal Sowah.

The 22-year-old put himself in the frame after starring for the Farmers in the UEFA Champions League, scoring two goals in five appearances as they progressed to the last 16.

That form earned Sowah a maiden call-up, along with Salis Abdul Samed, who has impressed for high-flying Lens in Ligue 1 this season.

Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey have also made the final cut after switching their allegiances from Spain and England two months ago.

Meanwhile, Addo has been forced to include inexperienced goalkeepers Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Danlad Ibrahim and Manaf Nurudeen in his plans after losing Richard Ofori and Joe Wollacott to injury recently.

The Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, who both featured at the 2014 World Cup, will get another chance to do the Black Stars proud in Qatar.

Addo’s side will contest Group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea, with their first match against the Selecao in Doha on November 24.

Ghana’s World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko), Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen);

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Abdul-Rahman Baba (Reading), Alexander Djiku (Racing Strasbourg), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot);

Midfielders: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens);

Forwards: Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting CP), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kamal Sowah (Club Brugge), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao).