How Will Ghana Enter the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers After Suffering Several Major Absences?

The Black Stars, notable absentees from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will look to make a strong showing with Carlos Queiroz at the helm.

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Ghana will begin the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers facing a challenging situation marked by injuries, last-minute changes and the demands of Carlos Queiroz, who returned to lead the Black Stars after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ghana had also been the major absentee from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, making qualification for the 2027 tournament an immediate priority for the national team.

Ghana will face Ivory Coast on September 24 before hosting Gambia on September 29 in Group C, which also includes Somalia.

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QUEIROZ AND A NEW COMPETITIVE CHALLENGE

Following the 2026 World Cup, the Ghana Football Association kept Carlos Queiroz in charge, with the Portuguese coach tasked with building a competitive team and securing qualification for the AFCON 2027. His new cycle begins with little time to prepare and an immediate need for results.

“We arrived on Monday, the players arrive today and on Thursday we have a match. There is no time for big decisions, only to deliver results,” Queiroz said. The Portuguese coach also made his philosophy clear: “My style of football is the winning style.”

JORDAN AYEW, A MAJOR ABSENCE

Ghana's preparations suffered another setback with the withdrawal of captain Jordan Ayew. The Sheffield United forward was ruled out of the opening qualifiers after suffering a groin injury and undergoing medical examinations.

His absence adds to the loss of Mohammed Kudus, who is continuing his recovery at Tottenham after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Antoine Semenyo, who has been dealing with a persistent ankle problem, and Nathaniel Adjei, who suffered a thigh muscle injury, are also unavailable. Baba Rahman has also been reported as a potential absence, although the Ghana Football Association has not officially confirmed his withdrawal.

NEW FACES TO FILL THE GAPS

With several players unavailable, the Ghana Football Association added nine players to the squad. Defenders Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan and Rockson Yeboah were called up, while midfielder Rahim Ibrahim was also added.

In attack, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan joined the squad as Queiroz looks to strengthen his options ahead of the qualifiers.

The coach acknowledged that up to ten players were unavailable for different reasons and insisted that Ghana must “keep sailing” despite the problems affecting the squad.

IVORY COAST, GHANA'S FIRST TEST

Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign will begin in Bouaké against Ivory Coast, before the Black Stars return home to face Gambia in Accra five days later.

For Carlos Queiroz, the immediate objective is qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, while also building a squad capable of competing in the next international cycle.

The Portuguese coach therefore begins this new chapter under pressure to deliver results after the 2026 World Cup, while injuries have forced him to make changes before Ghana's first competitive matches of the campaign.