2025 Unity Cup: Paintsil and Bukari were left out of Ghana squad because of the ongoing MLS season

Ghana Black Stars players Joseph Paintsil and Osman Bukari will miss the Unity Cup match against Nigeria. Their absence is due to club commitments in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Ghana Football Association confirmed this news.

Both players signed with LA Galaxy and Austin FC in summer 2024. They have started strong in the MLS, regularly playing in matches. Coach Otto Addo had considered them for selection.

However, their exclusion is because the Unity Cup occurs outside the FIFA international window. The tournament will take place from May 27 to May 31, 2025. Ghana will play Nigeria in the semifinal on May 28.

The winner of that match will advance to the final on May 31. They will face either Jamaica or Trinidad & Tobago. All matches will be held at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in West London.

Coach Otto Addo is expected to announce his squad later this week.