By: Belinda Nketia
Head coach Otto Addo has handed first senior national team call-ups to four players ahead of Ghana’s friendlies against Austria and Germany, as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The friendlies are scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, in Vienna against Austria, and Monday, March 30, 2026, in Stuttgart against Germany.
Among the debutants is Marvin Senaya of French Ligue 1 side Auxerre. The 21-year-old can operate as a right back or centre back. This season, he ranks second in interceptions and fourth in tackles won for his club. Senaya was also eligible to play for France or Togo but chose Ghana. He previously played for Strasbourg, Sochaux and Lausanne-Sport, and made his professional debut in 2021.
Marvin Senaya
Next to talk about is Derrick Luckassen, a 30-year-old centre-back for Pafos FC in Cyprus. He was born in Amsterdam. He started his career from AZ Alkmaar’s academy and has played for PSV, Hertha BSC, Anderlecht, Kasımpaşa, Fatih Karagümrük, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. This season, he has scored four goals across all competitions, including one in the Champions League, and was part of Pafos’ 2024–25 Cypriot league title-winning campaign.
Derrick Luckassen
Another new face in the squad is Daniel Agyei, 28. He is a striker for Kocaelispor. Daniel was born in England and started his career with AFC Wimbledon and later featured for Leyton Orient, Crewe Alexandra, Oxford United, and Burnley. He has scored four goals in 23 Turkish league matches this season, including one in the Champions League.
Daniel Agyei
Finally, Patrick Pfeiffer, 25, a defender for German Bundesliga II side Darmstadt 98, will also make his first appearance for the Black Stars after switching nationality ahead of the 2022 World Cup. He has made 25 appearances in Bundesliga 2 this season.
Patrick Pfeiffer
Several established players also return to the squad, including midfielder Thomas Partey and forward Jordan Ayew, while Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams and Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku headline the attacking options.
Ghana Black Stars Squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders: Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC), Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Kojo Oppong Pepprah (OGC Nice), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers: Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta), Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor)
The Black Stars are set to assemble ahead of the two friendlies as they continue preparations for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, having secured qualification and now set to compete in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
