The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has explained the absence of Kwasi Sibo and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku from the 24-man Black Stars squad for the September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo unveiled the squad on Tuesday, August 26, ahead of the double-header against Chad and Mali. The omissions of Sibo and Issahaku drew attention due to their recent form and fitness.
Sibo, 25, had been tipped for a maiden call-up after playing a key role in Real Oviedo’s promotion to La Liga and maintaining consistent performances this season. Issahaku, 20, has also impressed since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, starting all of Leicester City’s matches so far.
GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum, in a Facebook post, said Sibo remains a strong candidate for future selection.
“Kwasi Sibo will get his chance soon,” he stated. “The technical team has been monitoring him and is impressed with his work rate. Although they opted to maintain the core team following recent performances against Chad and Madagascar, Sibo is on their radar and will likely get an opportunity soon.”
Regarding Issahaku, Twum explained that caution is guiding the technical team. “Otto Addo and his staff are pleased to see him back in action. However, given the circumstances surrounding his long layoff, they are cautious about rushing his return. The medical teams from Ghana and Leicester City have had extensive discussions and decided to give him time,” he said.
Twum also noted that the AstroTurf pitch in N’jamena, where Ghana faces Chad, may not be ideal for Issahaku’s first match back following his ACL recovery.
Ghana will play Chad away at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on September 4 before hosting Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8.
The Black Stars currently top Group I with 15 points, three ahead of Comoros and five ahead of Madagascar, as they chase a record fifth FIFA World Cup appearance. The team is scheduled to begin camp on September 1 in Accra.
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