Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, has admitted facing a difficult task in selecting his squad for Ghana’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September against Chad and Mali, following the impressive performances of several young players at the recently held Unity Cup.

Speaking to Ghanafa.org, the 49-year-old tactician acknowledged that the emergence of new talents had complicated his decision-making process.

“Like I said before, it’s a big chance for a lot of players. We have a lot of newcomers in the national team who were able to show themselves in the last game.

It’s a very good possibility for them to make life hard for me when choosing who will come for our next World Cup qualifiers in September,” Addo said.

While he refrained from naming any standout performers, Addo emphasised that he has been monitoring many of the young players long before their recent exploits.

“I’ve been following them for a long time and they have exhibited top qualities, which is why I invited them,” he explained.

The Unity Cup, designed to test and develop domestic and lesser-known talents, offered a unique opportunity for several players to impress. According to Addo, some adapted quickly while others took time to adjust, calling it a “learning curve” for many of the participants.

Coach Addo also reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the search for Ghanaian players abroad who are eligible and willing to represent the Black Stars.

“From the first time I was appointed in 2021, we started that process. We were able to convince players such as Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey and Inaki Williams,” he noted.

He stressed that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) maintains a comprehensive database of Ghanaian players in top leagues across the world and they are continually being scouted.

“Surely, if anybody is of Ghanaian descent, it’s always interesting for us. We observe them and try to get in touch to see if they are available.”

Addo believes Ghana's success on the international stage will play a pivotal role in attracting more dual nationals to the team.

“The more successful we are, the more appealing we become. Players want to play for teams that are doing well,” he added.

Having himself chosen to play for Ghana over Germany, Addo acknowledged the difficulty many dual-nationality players face in making such a decision. He emphasised that players are properly guided before switching allegiances, but the Black Stars' doors remain open.

“It’s not easy to break into the national teams of their countries of birth and it's not easy to play for Ghana either. But surely, we are always open to any player of Ghanaian descent who wants to play for Ghana.”

Addo also singled out Brandon Thomas-Asante, who scored in Ghana’s game against Nigeria, for praise, not only for his goal but for his attitude and work ethic.

“Brandon is a very good person with great character. He always gives everything. But I find it hard to focus only on the goal-scorers. Others also played key roles — the ones who assisted, defended or contributed in the buildup,” he stated.