Five +1 names for Otto Addo to consider for the Unity Cup

Ghana will join Nigeria, Jamaica and Trinidad for the tournament in London.

Ghana men’s national team coach, Otto Addo, gets another opportunity to tinker with the national team at the inaugural Unity Cup slated for England from May 25-28.

With key World Cup assignments in October, the tournament presents a chance for Addo to take a closer look at players who have been on the fringes of his previous call-ups. Addo seems comfortable with his core, but with few opportunities for team building and player integration during full international breaks, this three-day window in London is opportune.

With a game lined up against arch nemesis Nigeria at the tournament, Addo will still want a strong showing to further cement his tenuous position with the Ghanaian public.

The timing of the tournament will hinder his ability to call up established names like Kudus Mohammed, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Salisu and, a raft of others. Most of them will be looking forward to a period of rest after a long season or focus on securing new contracts.

With that in mind, here are five candidates to consider

Lawrence Osei | Goalkeeper | 29 | Heart of Lions

Probably the most contentious position to fill in Ghana’s national team at the moment, favour has fallen on Accra Hearts of Oak’s goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, for now. He is likely to be in goal for the tournament. English-born Joojo Wollacot will likely make the squad, as will Lawrence Ati-Zigi.

Osei, however, has also been quietly excellent the past two seasons for the Kpando outfit. His entry into the team ahead of Thomas Osae last season contributed immensely to Lions’ survival and many still recall his incredible away performance against Medeama. His consistency has contributed to the Kpando side challenging for the league title. He is not a new fixture in the league, having won the FA with Bechem United and played in Africa with them. He has also kept goal for Ashgold and Liberty Professionals in a long domestic career.

He is calm under pressure, good with aerial balls, and is efficient with the ball at his feet.

Kwame Poku | Winger | 23 | Peterborough

Rumour has it that 26 clubs are in pursuit of the attacker with new Championship entrants, Birmingham City considered favourites. Some have even mentione interests from the Premier League and the top two from Scotland.

Poku’s 12 goals and 8 assists season is not an anomaly. He has been one of the best attacking player in the lower tiers of English football and now might be the time for Ghana to cash in its chips with him. Ghana has plenty of wide options but competiton is key if Addo wants to elevate his team.

Poku’s style of play could be the missing link Addo is looking for. He takes a lot of shots and tends to convert them too. Defensively he still needs work but on home soil, the Unity Cup might just be the right proving ground.

Caleb Yirenkyi | Midfielder | 19 | FC Nordsjælland

The most reliable production line for the Black Stars has done it again. This time, not in the form of a swashbuckling attacking winger but a calm, technical central midfielder. Caleb Yirenki has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Denmark. The first time I watched him was in a weekend scrimmage against my team at the Right to Dream campus in Apirede. His game was raw then, but you could still tell this was a player bound for the very top. Spatial awareness, passing, organisation, and leadership. That is his game. He is no Thomas Partey, but his understanding of his role and ability to connect defense and attack from the middle of the park add him to the very short list of potential replacements once the Arsenal maestro exits the national setup.

Patrick Asiedu | Left back | 22 | Asante Kotoko

The left side of the defence has mostly been occupied by Gideon Mensah for the past five years. It needs an upgrade. Patrick Asiedu might not be it, but knowing Otto Addo’s intention to select a group of home-based players for the Unity Cup, it will be hard to overlook Asante Kotoko’s in-form defender. Speedy and strong on the ball, he is not afraid to join the team in offensive phases. He is more of a traditional left-back than the technical, ball-oriented left-sided defenders Otto Addo has favoured during his time. But on form alone, it will be hard to ignore him for this tournament

Felix Afen-Gyan | Striker | 22 | Juventus Next Gen (on loan from Cremonese)

I can imagine the screams, but hear me out. Once the heir apparent to Asamoah Gyan’s throne, the Sunyani-born striker now finds himself playing for Juventus’ development squad, on loan from Cremonese. A mix of injury, poor lifestyle choices, and poor work ethic has led to his struggles, but at Juventus, we have seen shades of the form that led to his rise as a teen sensation at Roma. Some believe his omission from the World Cup squad in 2022 contributed to his spiral, and a recall for the Unity Cup might be due just because of that.

Bonus mention

Edmund Baidoo | Winger | 19 | RB Salzburg

Baidoo’s rise from a Division 2 league player in Ghana to a highly regarded prospect at RB Salzburg, all within a year, has been incredible to watch. Immensely talented on the ball, he is comfortable playing on either flank or as a support striker. He is one for the future, but the Unity Cup is a good proving ground for what he could offer.

Tell me in the comments section which new players you would like to see at the Unity Cup