Black Stars coach Otto Addo explained Jordan Ayew’s selection as captain for the last round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications.

Mohammed Kudus was elected team captain after Thomas Partey missed last month’s doubleheader match against Sudan. Alexander Djiku and Jordan Ayew were all left out, which led to harsh criticism of Otto Addo’s and the technical team’s choice.

Jordan Ayew will captain the team for the games, Otto Addo stated to the media Thursday after releasing his roster for the last round of games against Angola and Niger.

The 45-year-old gave an explanation for his choice, stating that Mohammed Kudus still has a lot to learn about being a captain and that the Leicester City attacker will be the team’s leader.

“I think Mohammed Kudu still has a lot to learn about being a captain, so Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars in Thomas Partey’s absence.”

Prior to leaving for Luanda on Wednesday, the Black Stars will set up camp in Accra on Sunday and conduct a number of training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars will be hosted at the Estádio 11 de Novembro on November 15, followed by a home match against Niger Republic three days later at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has selected a 25-man roster for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan.

Thomas Teye Partey, the team’s captain and star midfielder, returns after missing last month’s qualifiers against Angola and Niger due to illness. After impressive performances in the present Premier League and the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds, FC Samartex left-back Isaac Afful has earned his second call-up.

Razak Simpson, a defender for Nations FC and a midfielder for Asante Kotoko, has also got their first call-up.

The roster for the qualifiers also includes Ibrahim Sulemana of Atalanta and Ernest Nuamah of Olympique Lyon.

Later this month, the Black Stars will play their final set of qualifying matches against Angola and Niger in an attempt to make it to the 2025 tournament in Morocco despite all odds.

On November 15, they will journey to Luanda to play Angola, and three days later, they will play at home against the Niger Republic.

Ghana must win their games and hope Sudan lose against Niger and Angola to be able to qualify for the tournament.

Laryea Kingston, a former Ghana international, has chastised Black Stars head coach Itto Addo for not putting his stamp on his squad.

Otto Addo has been able to bring the Ghana national team’s dreams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup back to life since being reappointed as head coach.

Laryea Kingston said in an interview with GTV Sports Plus that Ghanaians ought to be happy about their recent victories over Mali and the Central African Republic.

Following their matches against Mali and the Central African Republic, the Black Stars will have no more FIFA World Cup qualifying matches until March 2025.

During his first stint with the Ghana national team, Black Stars coach Otto Addo has acknowledged that learning to control his emotions has been a crucial lesson.

Addo, who was previously a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund, was given the vital responsibility of coaching Ghana against Nigeria in a 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff. He led the team through the tournament after leading them to World Cup qualification, but he resigned when the Black Stars failed to go past the group stage.

After enduring criticism from disgruntled supporters, Addo has since made a comeback as the permanent head coach, displaying a more collected and resilient manner. His enhanced output has also resulted in a considerable decrease in the negative feedback he received.

In light of his personal development, Addo credits his advancement to guidance and support from his family as well as the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

After suffering early defeats in friendlies against Nigeria (2-1) and Uganda (2-2), Ghana’s victories over Mali and the Central African Republic have reignited dreams of qualifying for their sixth World Cup.

Otto Addo wants to create history by taking Ghana to yet another international showcase while concentrating on leading the Black Stars to victory in the impending difficulties.

Otto Addo, Ghana’s head coach, revealed that he deployed five defenders against Mali since the game demanded it on Thursday in their third 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Ghana came from behind to win 2-1 in Bamako, moving up to second place in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Mali were the favourites in the contest, but the Black Stars outperformed themselves to win in a hostile and steamy 26th March Stadium.

Otto Addo was questioned after the game why he chose the 3-4-3 shape, and he stated it was necessary due to the Malians’ speed.

“Every game has different demands and for this game I chose this system but in the next game maybe I’ll choose something else, I don’t know, I don’t know yet.

“I can’t say I will play the same. Maybe I will do so if I think this will be the right thing but maybe not, I don’t know.”