Felix Afena-Gyan headlines a list of returning players called up by Black Stars coach Otto Addo for Ghana’s participation in the upcoming Unity Cup which starts tomorrow at the Gtech Community Stadium in London.

The tournament will feature Ghana, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago in what promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Afena-Gyan, 22, is making a return to the national team two years after temporarily stepping away from international duty. The forward burst onto the scene in 2021 when he came off the bench to score a sensational brace for AS Roma against Genoa in Serie A.

Despite earning a subsequent call-up to the Black Stars later that year, he turned down his debut invitation and was later overlooked for the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad after helping in the qualifiers. Currently on loan at Juventus Next Gen from Cremonese, Gyan is now back in Otto Addo’s plans.

other returnees

Joining him among the returning players are midfielder Abdul Salis Samed of Sunderland, Majeed Ashimeru of Anderlecht, Kwame Opoku of Asante Kotoko, and Switzerland-based defender Stephen Ambrosius.

The 23-man squad also includes five debutants-- goalkeeper Joseph Tetteh Anang, St. Patrick’s Athletic (Ireland), Abdul Aziz Issah, Barcelona B, Aaron Essel, North Texas SC, Caleb Yirenkyi, FC Nordsjaelland (Denmark) and Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini, Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium)

Several key first-team players were excluded due to various reasons. Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Elisha Owusu, and Antoine Semenyo are recovering from minor injuries. 

Thomas Partey and Michael Baidoo were granted rest by the technical team, while MLS-based Joseph Paintsil and Osman Bukari were unavailable due to the league being in season. 

Jonas Adjetey was also excused to play in the Swiss Cup final with FC Basel on June 1.

The rest of the squad includes are Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Ebenezer Annan, Razak Simpson, Mamudu Kamaradini, Stephen Ambrosius, Midfielders: Ibrahim Sulemana, Abu Francis, Lawrence Agyekum, Christopher Baah Bonsu and Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Thomas Asante, Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini