The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare as the replacement for Gidios Aseako for the friendly against Mexico slated for Friday, May 22.

“Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare has been drafted into the Black Stars squad ahead of the upcoming international friendly against Mexico. The 33-year-old shot-stopper replaces Gidios Aseako in the squad…Asare has steadily built his reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League through a series of impressive performances for Hearts of Oak”, parts of the statement read.

His appearance in the Mexico friendlies will mark his 12th cap as he is set to travel with the Black Stars for the game.

Benjamin Asare made his Ghana debut against Chad in March 2025, following consistent performances for Accra Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League.

“His consistency earned him a first senior national team invitation last year, and he went on to make his debut for Ghana against Chad in March 2025. The shot-stopper has since accumulated 11 appearances for the national team, establishing himself as a reliable option between the posts”, he continued.

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has released the official 23-man squad list for the international friendly against Mexico on May 22.

This selection marks Queiroz’s first squad announcement since taking charge in April 2026 and features a mix of European-based stars, domestic Ghana Premier League talents, and key returnees.

See the full list below.

The goalkeepers are Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Paul Reverson (Ajax FC), and Gidios Aseako (Dreams FC).

Defenders also include Oscar Oppong (Granada), Ebenezer Adade (Dreams FC), Ebenezer Annan (St Etienne), Manu Duah (San Diego FC), Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Dacosta Antwi (Anderlecht Futures), and Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions).

Midfielders are Emmanuel Edjei (Dundee United), Abdul Aziz Issah (Barcelona B), Augustine Boakye (St Etienne), Majeed Ashimeru (La Louviere), Rak-Sakyi Jesurun (Stoke City), and Salim Adams (Medeama SC) and Majeed Ashimeru who returns following a long injury layoff.

The Forwards/Wingers include Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor), Felix Afena-Gyan (Amedspor), Ibrahim Osman (Birmingham City), Prince Amoako (Nordsjaelland), Francis Amuzu (Gremio), Joseph Opoku (Zulte-Waregem) and Felix Afena-Gyan, who returns for the first time since May 2025.

The squad notably excludes veteran mainstays like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, as Queiroz uses this final pre-tournament window to evaluate depth before Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Panama on June 17.