Carlos Queiroz Surprises with New Faces for Ghana’s Mexico Clash

Accra: In what many expected to be a star-studded squad selection for the Black Stars' friendly game against Mexico, head coach Carlos Queiroz surprised fans with a different approach. The 23-man squad features several fresh faces and players who are not regulars, as many of the usual names were omitted. According to Ghana Web, the squad is composed of players from both the domestic league and European leagues, closely monitored by Coach Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers. This decision has sparked discussions, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, and concerns have been raised about the coach's decision to hand opportunities to non-regular players in a pre-tournament friendly against co-host Mexico. One of the key reasons for this unconventional squad selection is to provide an opportunity for local players. Following persistent criticisms of Black Stars coaches for not prioritising local players, Queiroz decided to open the door for them to showcase their potential. The local call-ups include two goalkeepers, Solomon Agbasi and Gideon Aseako, as well as defenders Razak Simpson, Ebenezer Adade, Ebenezer Abban, and midfielder Salim Adams. Players who excel stand a higher chance of breaking into the main squad for the World Cup, depending on the competitiveness of their positions. Additionally, the technical team considered players who had previously been part of the squad but were absent due to inconsistent performances, giving them a second chance. Returnees include Razak Simpson, Majeed Ashimeru, Ebenezer Annan, Felix Afena-Gyan, Ibrahim Osman, Daniel Agyei, Abdul Aziz Issah, and Nathaniel Adjei. Although they have been recalled, they must prove themselves with strong performances to convince the technical team. In an effort to nurture and groom new talent, Queiroz also invited debutants to showcase their abilities and compete for selection. The debutants include Prince Amoako Junior, Augustine Boakye, Francis Amuzu, Paul Reve rson, Oscar Oppong, Manu Duah, Dacosta Antwi, and Joseph Opoku. This move is seen as a step towards creating a talent pool, offering Queiroz and his technical team a wider selection of players for the World Cup. During his first press conference, Queiroz vowed to consider all Ghanaian footballers in his squad selection, regardless of where they play.