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Union Berlin’s Derrick Arthur Köhn earns maiden Black Stars call-up for Chad & Mali clashes

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has announced a 24-man squad for Ghana's upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali next month.

By Emmanuel Austin Baah
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The list features a blend of established stars and fresh talent, including key figures such as Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams.

Union Berlin left-back Derrick Arthur Köhn has received his first senior call-up. The 26-year-old earned his place following an impressive season on loan at Werder Bremen, where he made 27 appearances and scored two goals in the German Bundesliga, prompting a summer move to Union Berlin.

Winger Kamal Deen Sulemana, who recently transferred from Southampton to Serie A’s Atalanta, also secures a spot after a promising start in Italy. France-based midfielder Elisha Owusu makes a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury.

The selection also rewards emerging talent, with youngster Caleb Yirenkyi included following strong performances for FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark. Defender Tariq Lamptey returns to the side, while Christopher Bonsu Baah and Ireland-based goalkeeper Joseph Anang have secured places for the double-header.

Ghana currently leads Group I in the African Qualifiers with 15 points from six matches, having recorded five wins and one loss.

The Black Stars will commence their camp in Accra on Monday, September 1, 2025. The team will train at the Accra Sports Stadium that day, with the session open to the media and public. A closed training session will follow on Tuesday before the squad departs for N’djamena that evening.

Ghana will face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4, before returning to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St.Gallen), Joseph Anang (St.Patrick’s Athletic), Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak)

Defenders: Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Derrick Arthur Köhn (Union Berlin), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Tomas Adjeffey (FC Basel), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland)

Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Ibrahim Osman (AJ Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Atalanta BC), Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF), Abdul Salis Samed (OGC Nice)

Forwards: Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta BC), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Jerry Afrite (DA OL Couvert), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Christopher Bonsu Baah (JA Caossia), Inaki Williams (Athletic Club)

Author

  • My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

    I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

    Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

    Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

    I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

    For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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Emmanuel Austin Baah 1201 posts 1 comments

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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