Ghana coach Otto Addo has named Danlad Ibrahim and Afriyie Barnieh who play in the Ghana Premier League in his final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But there are other four players in the squad who have previously played in the Ghana Premier League. Below are the six names and the clubs they played for in the Ghana Premier league.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad - Kotoko, midfielder Daniel Afriyie Barnieh - Hearts of Oak, defender Joseph Aidoo - Inter Allies, defender Abdul Rahman Baba - Kotoko, defender Gideon Mensah - WAFA, and attacker Abdul Fatawu Issahaku - Dreams.
Danlad has gone through every rank of the national team, from the U-17 to the U-23s and the Black Galaxies. His impressive performances for the Galaxies saw the team progress to the final round of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He is, however, yet to make his debut for the Black Stars despite recent call-ups. With Richard Ofori and Joe Wollacott currently injured and likely to miss the tournament, Danlad will be expected to play a key role for the team serving as No.2.
Afriyie Barnieh, on the other hand, has been rewarded a call-up following his exploits in the Ghana Premier League with Hearts of Oak.
The 21-year-old was instrumental for Hearts as they retained their MTN FA Cup title by scoring in the final.
He has been part of the Black Stars squad under Otto Addo since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Mozambique and Central African Republic. He made his debut for the West African nation in an international friendly against Japan.
He has represented Ghana at the U-20 and U-23 level and currently a member of the Black Galaxies team.
Afriyie Barnieh also made a cameo appearance for Ghana in a 1-0 win over Nicaragua last month.
Black Stars will open camp in Dubai on Monday to begin preparations for the tournament.
Black Stars have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Ghana secured a 4th FIFA World Cup tournament having participated in 2006, 2010, and 2014 in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil after drawing 1-1 against Nigeria in the return leg of the final play-offs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to seal qualification on the away goals rule.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 21 and December 18, 2022.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana squad for 2022 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Manaf Nurudeen, Danlad Ibrahim, Lawrence Ati Zigi
Defenders: Denis Odoi, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul-Rahman Baba, Gideon Mensah
Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Kofi Kyereh
Strikers: Daniel Barnieh Afriyie, Kamal Sowah, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Osman Bukari, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana