Black Stars coach, Otto Addo, has declined to go public with the reasons behind his decision to exclude skipper André Dede Ayew from the Black Stars squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Otto Addo announced his 26-man squad for the doubleheader on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, with André Ayew being a notable absentee from the list.

When questioned about the decision, Otto Addo chose not to disclose the details, explaining that he had a 'long' conversation with André Ayew regarding the matter.

According to Otto Addo, the Black Stars skipper did not agree with his decision to be dropped from the squad, but despite Ayew's opposition, he still holds him in high regard.

"I had a long talk with André and gave him the reasons why he is not in the squad. I talk to players directly and don't like to disclose information about our discussions. This is the decision we took, and it's not like he necessarily agreed, but I still have great respect for him," he said.

Below is the full squad:

Defenders:

• Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre)

• Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar)

• Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco)

• Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)

• Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano)

• Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce Istanbul)

• Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes)

• Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders:

• Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)

• Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon)

• Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens)

• Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari Calcio)

• Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis)

• Thomas Partey (FC Arsenal)

• Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)

• Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)

Forwards:

• Osman Bukari (RS Belgrade)

• Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, on loan from Sporting CP)

• Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

• Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)

• Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland)

• Kamaldeen Sulemana (FC Southampton)

• Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich Albion)