Kids Give Otto Addo a Headache: Rising stars shake Black Stars squad plans after Unity Cup heroics

Ghana head coach Otto Addo faces a selection dilemma. Young players impressed against Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago at the Unity Cup in London. What started as an opportunity for fringe players has turned into serious competition for spots in the senior Black Stars squad.

Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, and Lawrence Agyekum stood out. They showed maturity, creativity, and tactical sharpness. Their performances caught the attention of scouts and technical staff. This comes as Ghana prepares for key 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Addo feels pressure to rebuild after disappointing AFCON qualifiers. He must blend promising youth with experienced players like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew. “It’s a big chance for many players,” he said in an interview with Ghanafa.org. “Newcomers showed themselves in the last game.”

He added that it will be challenging to choose players for upcoming qualifiers in September. Addo has been following these young talents for a long time. He invited them because they exhibited top qualities.

Since his appointment in 2021, Addo has worked to convince players like Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, and Inaki Williams to join the team. He noted that any player of Ghanaian descent is interesting to them. The more successful they are, the more appealing they become.

Addo acknowledged the complex decisions facing dual-nationality players. While guidance is provided before allegiance switches, the Black Stars welcome all eligible talent. “It’s not easy to break into national teams,” he said.

He specifically praised Brandon Thomas-Asante for his goal against Nigeria. He highlighted Thomas-Asante's strong attitude and tireless work rate as well.

The Unity Cup may have reshaped Ghana’s selection conversation. Now, Otto Addo must decide whether to play it safe or trust rising stars.