A total of six Muslim players made the starting lineup of the Ghana Black Stars’ squad announced by coach Otto Addo for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Niger on September 9.
Otto Addo’s 11-man lineup as published by the Black Stars X handle included: Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku Majeed Ashimeru and Mohammed Kudus.
The non-Muslims who started were goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Tariq lamptey, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams.
The game was played in Morocco because of unfavourable conditions in Niger which is currently under a military junta after the coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum in 2023.
Ghana took a first half lead thanks to Alidu Seidu’s strike but Niger equalized to level the scores, making Ghana’s path to the tournament even more difficult.
Otto Addo’s boys lost their first game of the international break at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium where they lost by a late goal to the Palancas Negras of Angola.