Ghana coach Otto Addo announced his final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The announcement ended a period of anticipation among Ghanaian fans who were eagerly awaiting news of the players who would carry the nation's hopes on the world's biggest football stage, especially after the team faced some challenges related to injuries to key players before the tournament.
High ambitions to return to the World Cup
Ghana boasts a distinguished history in the World Cup, with their participation in the Qatar tournament marking their fourth appearance. The world of football still remembers their heroic performance in the 2010 edition in South Africa, when they came within a hair's breadth of becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals, were it not for Luis Suárez's infamous handball in the dying minutes of their match against Uruguay. After missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia, Ghana returned to the global stage with renewed ambitions, bolstered by a blend of experienced players and rising young talents honed in European leagues. They aimed to replicate their past successes and deliver a performance worthy of their reputation as one of the footballing powers of the African continent.
Shining stars and significant absences in the Ghana national team squad
Ghana's final squad featured its biggest stars playing in major leagues, most notably Thomas Partey, the Arsenal midfielder, considered a cornerstone of the team. The squad also included young star Mohammed Kudus, then playing for Ajax Amsterdam, on whom much was expected to contribute to playmaking and scoring goals. The attack was bolstered by the Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, as well as Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, who agreed to represent Ghana shortly before the tournament. However, the team suffered a major blow with the absence of its two first-choice goalkeepers, Jojo Walcott and Richard Ofori, due to injury, posing a significant challenge for the coaching staff before the start of the competition.
Fiery clashes in Group H
The draw placed Ghana in Group H, dubbed the "Group of Death," alongside strong teams such as Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Uruguay, and South Korea. The match against Uruguay held a special significance for the Ghanaians, a rematch of their historic quarter-final encounter in 2010. This group presented a significant challenge for coach Otto Addo's squad, requiring top-level physical and mental preparation to compete for one of the two qualifying spots for the Round of 16.
The complete squad list for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Danlad Ibrahim, Manaf Nour El-Din.
Defense line: Denis Odoi, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seydou, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Dzeko, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Rahman Baba, Gideon Mensah.
Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdus Samad, Daniel Koffi Kyereh.
Forwards: Daniel Afriyie, Kamal Souah, Abdel Fattah Ishaqou, Ousmane Boukari, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Simeone, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldin Souleymane.
