Partey and Kudus Miss Out as Black Stars Name Squad for 2025 Unity Cup
Ghana’s Black Stars will be without key players Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus as they head to London, England, for the upcoming 2025 Unity Cup. The four-nation tournament kicks off just three days after the conclusion of the English Premier League season.
Thomas Partey, who recently made a strong return to the national team by scoring in Ghana’s World Cup qualifier against Madagascar, will sit out the tournament. The Arsenal midfielder is being rested following a demanding league campaign.
Mohammed Kudus, who ended his season in style with a goal for West Ham United, is also unavailable for selection. Additional notable absentees include Antoine Semenyo, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Inaki Williams.
Fresh Faces and Key Returns
Despite the high-profile omissions, the squad boasts fresh talent and welcome returns. Barcelona youngster Abdul Aziz Issah headlines a list of five debutants set to don the national jersey for the first time.
Abdul Salis Samed makes his return after recovering from injury, while Kwame Opoku receives his first national team call-up since 2021. Felix Afena-Gyan is also back in the fold, having last featured for Ghana in 2022.
Captain Jordan Ayew, along with Gideon Mensah, Mohammed Salisu, and Benjamin Asare, retain their spots from the previous squad as the team looks to build cohesion and momentum ahead of future competitions.
Unity Cup Fixtures
The Black Stars are already in London, preparing for their opening clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on May 28. The winner of that highly anticipated match will advance to the final, while the losing side will contest the third-place playoff.
Ghana will also face Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago during the tournament, which is expected to provide valuable experience for the team’s younger players and an opportunity to test tactical depth ahead of the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
