2026 World Cup Q: Dede Ayew remains absent from Black Stars squad despite form

The Black Stars will once again be without forward Andre Ayew for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Despite his impressive form for Le Havre in the French Ligue 1, where he has netted four goals and provided one assist in 2025, Ayew was left out of coach Otto Addo’s 23-man squad.

This marks nearly a year since Ayew last featured for the national team, following his exclusion from Ghana’s unsuccessful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

However, Otto Addo has reiterated that the door remains open for Ayew’s return in the future.

The 23-man squad is captained by Jordan Ayew and includes three home-based players: Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kamaradini Mamudu of Medeama SC, and Razak Simpson of Nations FC. Deputy captain and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey also makes a return after missing four AFCON qualifiers due to injury.

Other notable inclusions are Kamal Deen Sulemana of Southampton, who has recovered from injury, and Jerry Afriyie of CD Lugo, who impressed in the previous match against Niger. Additionally, Christopher Bonsu Baah of Genk has earned a spot.

The squad will assemble on March 17, 2025, for a four-day training camp before hosting Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21. They will then head to Morocco to face Madagascar on March 24.

 

 

The post 2026 World Cup Q: Dede Ayew remains absent from Black Stars squad despite form first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story