Black Stars coach Otto Addo has unveiled a 25-man squad for Ghana's upcoming crucial AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger, with notable selections including three home-based players, while star midfielder Thomas Partey has been dropped.Addo has called up Asante Kotoko's Emmanuel Antwi and Nations defender Razak Simpson, who will join Samartex defender Isaac Afful as the three local players to make the roster.In contrast, Partey, who missed the double-header against Sudan in October, has again been excluded.

Addo explained that he had a private conversation with the Arsenal midfielder, noting, "I had a confidential talk with Thomas.

I am the coach who always wants to protect the players,""The whole point for me was getting the understanding.

I am not going to tell you the internal issues, but I made it quite clear to him; he wanted to come, but I made it quite clear why he's not coming."Addo's squad is strengthened by the return of Premier League stars Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Fatawu Issahaku, and Antoine Semenyo, with Joseph Paintsil and Ibrahim Osman rejoining after injuries.Ghana will need to secure victories in both games and hope Sudan falter to qualify for the tournament in Morocco.