Black Stars Hold First Training Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers, 12 Players Report
- Ghana's senior national team, the Black Stars, have opened camp ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- The former African champions are preparing for their games against Chad and Mali in the international window
- Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus missed the first day of training but 12 players have reported to camp
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The Black Stars held their first training session on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Six outfield players and three goalkeepers reported for the first session, under the supervision of coach Otto Addo.
The rest of the players are expected to arrive on Monday evening and join the team for training on Tuesday as preparations intensify for the game against Chad in N'Djamena.
Source: Twitter
In videos posted on social media, the players included Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth, France-based midfielder Elisha Owusu, rising forward Jerry Afriyie, and goalkeeper Joseph Anang.
Others included Christopher Bonsu Baah, Hearts of Oak’s Benjamin Asare, defender Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Osman, Bologna loanee Ibrahim Sulemana, Atalanta’s Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Gideon Mensah. The goalkeeping department is complete.
Watch the training session:
Meanwhile, missing from training was Tottenham newbie Mohammed Kudus, who is yet to report to camp.
With 12 goals in 42 appearances, as cited by Transfermarkt, including a strike in the 3-0 win over Madagascar earlier this year, Kudus has become one of Ghana’s most reliable players.
Otto Addo and his technical team will lead the players in training through to Tuesday before travelling to N’Djamena for Thursday’s clash with Chad.
In another video that quickly circulated online, Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew shared a touching reunion with former skipper Stephen Appiah.
From 2002 to 2010, he captained Ghana, guiding the team to its first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Watch the moment between Jordan and Appiah below:
Appiah, now Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, plays a vital role as a bridge between players and management.
Ghana demolished Chad 5-0 in the reverse fixture back in March and will be hoping to continue their dominance in the away clash.
Ghana to face Mali on Monday
As noted by Ghanafa.org, Ghana will then host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, 8 September 2025.
These fixtures are crucial for Ghana as they seek to strengthen their position in Group I of the African qualifiers.
Source: Twitter
Ghana currently leads Group I with 15 points from six matches, keeping them well-positioned for a fifth World Cup appearance.
The Black Stars will wrap up their qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros in October.
Partey absent as Black Stars open camp
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Thomas Partey is yet to report to camp as he is due for his second court appearance just two days before Ghana clashes with Chad.
The Ghana Football Association addressed growing uncertainty surrounding Partey’s situation, with Communications Director Henry Asante Twum offering a firm assurance about the midfielder’s role in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
