Why these six big names are missing from Ghana’s squad for Angola, Niger matches

Ghana will be without some key players for their opening games in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.The said players could not make the Black Stars squad for the qualifiers, announced on Thursday, August 29, 2024.The team will be aiming to start the 2025 AFCON qualifiers on a good note by winning both games and extending their winning streak to four.The Black Stars will host Angola in Kumasi on September 5, 2024, before visiting Niger on September 9.Here are six big names set to miss the gamesAndre AyewBlack Stars skipper Andre Ayew is a free agent and could land a deal in the final days of the window.He has been a free agent since leaving Le Havre in the French Ligue 1 at the end of the 2023/2024 season.Gideon MensahThe Auxerre left-back will not be in action for the Black Stars for the first time in a long while.Mensah was left out of Otto Addo's squad on account of fitness. He missed pre-season with Auxerre due to injury and has not played since featuring in Ghana's win over the Central A frican Republic in June.His return date is unknown.Daniel AmarteyThe Ghanaian centre-back found minutes hard to come by during his time at Besiktas, costing him a place in the Black Stars.He departed the club after a season and has been a free agent. According to the report, Celtic have expressed interest in signing the defender but he has not been offered a concrete deal yet.Kamaldeen SulemanaSouthampton forward, Kamaldeen Sulemana also missed out on the list due to injury. The winger sustained an injury during pre-season and is yet to feature for Southampton in the new campaign.Ernest NuamahOlympique Lyon forward, Ernest Nuamah is nursing an injury he suffered in training, hence, his omission from the squad. Currently, the extent of his injury is unknown.Salis SamedThe midfielder has been demoted to the reserves at RC Lens. He is said to be in talks with French side Nantes and Montpellier who are hoping to get the deal over the line before the window closes.The uncertainty surrounding his future has led to him missing the club's first three games of the season.Source: Ghana Web