Sports
Salis Samed, Afena Gyan lead list of returnees in Otto Addo’s squad for Unity Cup
Midfielder Abdul Samed Salis of Sunderland, forward Felix Afena Gyan, Majeed Ashimeru of Anderlecht, Kwame Opoku of Asante Kotoko, and Switzerland-based Stephan Ambrosius are making a return to the Black Stars after being named in Otto Addo’s squad for the Unity Cup in London.
Afena Gyan is returning to the team after close to two years’ absence, while Abdul Samed Salis makes a comeback following his recovery from an injury that kept him on the sidelines for half the season.
Asante Kotoko’s Kwame Opoku is also making a return after his impressive contribution to his side following his stint with USM Alger. Opoku last played for Ghana four years ago against South Africa in Johannesburg and will be looking to earn his fourth Ghana cap in the Unity Cup.
Also in the team is St. Gallen defender Stephan Ambrosius, who made his debut against Liberia in September 2023.
Ghana will face Nigeria at the GTech Community Stadium in West London on Wednesday, May 28, in search of a ticket to the final of the Unity Cup against Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago.
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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