Agyemang-Badu surprised at exclusion of local players ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has expressed surprise at the lack of inclusion of local players in the squad list released by head coach Otto Addo.
On Tuesday, Addo unveiled the roster for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, with Kotoko goalkeeper Fredrick Asare being the sole local-based player included.
Agyemang-Badu, a U-20 World Cup winner, shared his astonishment, mentioning that he believed Dreams FC’s striker John Antwi deserved a spot on the squad.
“Dreams FC have one striker called Antwi, who has a lot of experience playing in Africa; he’s played in Egypt, and the way he carried Dreams FC on his back and the goals he’s scored in the league and the experience he has, I believe he was a good candidate for the striking position in the team With Inaki missing through injury,” he told Onua TV.
He added: “Samartex’s Keyekeh has been very good this season so I was expecting these two players in the squad especially John Anwti should have been given the needed attention looking at how good he’s been this season.”
The Black Stars currently hold the fourth position in group I and will need to perform at their peak to secure qualification for the World Cup.
The matches against Mali and the Central African Republic on June 6 and June 10 respectively will also mark the first competitive games for Otto Addo in his second tenure with the Black Stars.
“The most important thing is to support the team and hope we don’t lose against Mali, else a win for Comoros in the other game will bring pressure on the team,” he concluded.
