Black Stars' AFCON Quest: Injuries, Call-ups & The Côte d'Ivoire Showdown!

Ghana's Black Stars are gearing up for a challenging start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, facing Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24, 2026. This crucial West African encounter comes amidst a backdrop of significant player absences and a strong denial from Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku regarding intentional withdrawals from the national team.

GFA President Kurt Okraku has vehemently denied claims that players are deliberately turning down call-ups for the upcoming international break. Since assuming the GFA presidency, Okraku stated he has yet to encounter a player who would intentionally decline to represent the national team. Despite this assurance, several prominent Black Stars players have indeed withdrawn from the squad due to injuries and precautionary measures. Key attacking figures like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo are confirmed unavailable for the Côte d'Ivoire match. Kudus opted out to complete his recovery and regain full fitness, while Semenyo withdrew due to a foot injury, a decision mutually discussed with head coach Carlos Queiroz. Okraku confirmed Semenyo's legitimate reason, citing a swollen leg requiring treatment. Other notable absences from the initial squad include Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, and Alidu Seidu. Okraku reiterated that these absences are genuine, often stemming from the rigorous schedules and medical needs players face at their respective clubs globally.

The series of withdrawals has compelled head coach Carlos Queiroz to significantly alter his plans, bringing in nine additional players to reinforce the squad. This presents an opportunity for several new faces to step into the international spotlight under demanding circumstances. Among the late call-ups are Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan, Jonas Adjetey, and first-time senior national team invitees Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim. Queiroz is tasked with finding the right combination from the blend of available experienced players and emerging talent, such as Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Ibrahim Osman. However, the composition of the squad has drawn criticism from veteran coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong, who expressed displeasure at the limited inclusion of Ghana Premier League players, with only Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare making the cut. Sarpong lamented a perceived double standard, noting that local players often get national team invites only after moving abroad.

Standing in Ghana’s way is a formidable Ivorian side, embarking on a new chapter under the guidance of returning head coach Hervé Renard. Renard, who previously led Côte d’Ivoire to an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015 (and Zambia in 2012), has immediately begun rebuilding the Elephants, incorporating eight new players into his first squad. His selection, however, retains considerable experience and quality, featuring established international stars like Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Evan Ndicka, and Ousmane Diomandé. Renard’s remarkable African pedigree and prior experience working with Ghana's technical team under Claude Le Roy add another layer of intrigue to this highly anticipated encounter, as CAF describes this as the beginning of a new cycle for the Ivorian national team.

The Black Stars opened their camp in Accra on Monday, holding intensive training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium before departing for Bouaké on Wednesday morning. Eighteen players participated in Tuesday’s training. The technical team will conduct a final training session at the Stade de la Paix, the match venue, on Wednesday to finalize tactical adjustments. This opening Group C fixture against Côte d'Ivoire is more than just a qualifier; it will be a crucial test of Queiroz's adaptability, the depth of the Black Stars squad, and the capacity of less prominent players to rise to the occasion, especially after Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON tournament. GFA President Kurt Okraku expressed positivity about the assembled players, stating his belief in their dedication to fight for Ghana and urging for collective support and prayers to ensure the team qualifies for the AFCON, "because that is where we belong."

Following the clash with Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana will return home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium five days later, before wrapping up the international break with a friendly game against Morocco on October 4 in Tangier. The Black Stars, alongside Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia in Group C, are determined to secure a positive result in Bouaké to build momentum for the remainder of their qualifying campaign.