Black Stars head coach Otto Addo says the inclusion of new players in the squad for the upcoming Unity Cup is a deliberate step toward long-term team development.

According to Addo, this is the right moment to offer opportunities to players who have been closely monitored by the technical team over the past months.

The squad for the tournament includes five debutants, as the team continues to evolve. Meanwhile, regulars such as Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, and Mohammed Kudus have been sidelined due to minor injuries and fitness concerns.

Addo, a former Ghana international, will lead the team into the Unity Cup fresh off back-to-back victories over Chad and Madagascar—results that have helped Ghana maintain their position at the top of their group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

"These two matches are extremely important for the team, just like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. I believe this is the perfect time to closely observe the players we've been monitoring over the last few months’’ he told ghanafa.org.

"Team building is a process that takes time, and it's not something that happens overnight. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to give some of our young players a chance to prove themselves. Our aim is to create competition within the team, which can only be achieved by providing an equal platform for all our talents to showcase their skills."

"We're looking beyond individuals, and focusing on building a strong team, that's why I've decided to give many of these young players a chance to play and prove themselves, with the aim of making them a key part of my team going forward," he stated.

He noted that the Unity Cup comes at a crucial moment for the team’s development, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the opportunity. “We’re excited to welcome back players who’ve been out for various reasons, and also to integrate new faces into the squad,” he said.

Ghana will face Nigeria at the GTech Community Stadium in West London on Wednesday, May 28, with a place in the final—scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025—on the line.