AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Ghana limp into Ivory Coast clash as mass withdrawals hit Black Stars

Ghana have been hit by a growing injury crisis ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Cote dIvoire, with several key players unavailable for the crucial Group C encounter.The Black Stars are due to face Cte dIvoire in Bouake on Thursday, September 24, but head coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to make several changes to his squad after a series of injuries and fitness-related withdrawals.Jan Gyamerah, Antoine Semenyo, Nathaniel Adjei and Abdul Rahman Baba are among the players ruled out through injury, while Alidu Seidu has withdrawn amid fitness concerns.Captain Jordan Ayew is also unavailable after suffering a groin injury, while Viktoria Plzen forward Prince Kwabena Adu has been ruled out after sustaining a head injury in club action.Ghana will also be without experienced midfielder Thomas Partey, who is missing the international window through injury, further weakening Queiroz’s options in midfield.Mohammed Kudus, who had initially been named in Queirozs squad following his return from a lengthy injury lay-off, has also opted out of the international assignment to continue working on his fitness and recovery at Tottenham.The withdrawals have significantly altered the squad Queiroz originally selected on September 18. The GFA subsequently announced additions to the team following the medical uncertainties, with Jonas Adjetey, Ebenezer Annan, Rockson Yeboah, Rahim Ibrahim, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh, Jerry Afriyie and Felix Afena-Gyan among the players brought into the wider squad.The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Monday as preparations intensified for the demanding international window.Ghana will travel to Bouake for their opening Group C qualifier before hosting The Gambia in Accra on September 29. They will then face Morocco in an international friendly in Tangier on October 4.With several established players missing, Queiroz will now have to rely on his remaining squad members and the late additions as Ghana begin their quest to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the previous edition.The Black Stars’ immediate focus, however, is on the difficult assignment against Cte dIvoire, where the reshaped squad will be tested at the start of the qualifying campaign.



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