Nathaniel AdjeiNathaniel Adjei has withdrawn from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after suffering a hamstring injury in Lorients 2-1 defeat to Le Mans on Saturday, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively confirm.Adjei started the Ligue 1 encounter at the Stade Marie-Marvingt and lasted 75 minutes before being replaced.Following an assessment by the Lorient medical team, the 23-year-old is expected to spend between two and three weeks on the sidelines, ruling him out of Ghanas upcoming international assignments.The injury comes as a setback for Adjei, who had only recently earned a recall to the Black Stars after over a year away from the national team.The Lorient centre-back made his Ghana debut against Niger in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers on November 18, 2024, but his first appearance for the senior national team was cut short after just 39 minutes because of an ankle injury.The injury subsequently required surgery in December 2024 and kept Adjei out of action for an extended period.Adjei fought his way back to full fitness and earned a recall to the Ghana national team after impressing for Lorient in Ligue 1.Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz included him in his 24-man squad for the September-October international window.His latest setback means he will miss Ghanas opening 2027 AFCON qualifying assignment against Cte dIvoire in Bouak on Thursday, September 24.The Black Stars will then return home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, before travelling to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, October 4.Adjeis absence will be a blow to Queiroz as Ghana begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, particularly after the defenders return to the national team had marked the end of a lengthy period away from international football.@Reuben Obodai



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