Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has revealed that Antoine Semenyo withdrew from the Black Stars squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to an injury. Semenyo, a Manchester City forward, was part of Ghana's initial 24-man squad but pulled out ahead of the Group C fixtures against Ivory Coast and The Gambia. According to Okraku, Semenyo spoke directly with head coach Carlos Queiroz before making the decision.
Okraku stated that Semenyo's leg was swollen, making it impractical for him to travel for further tests. The Ghana FA president emphasized that the decision was made with the player's long-term recovery in mind. Semenyo had expressed his willingness to travel if required, but the medical team deemed it best for him to continue his recovery. This decision allows Semenyo to be ready for his club and for Ghana in the next window.
Antoine Semenyo is not the only high-profile absentee for Ghana's opening qualifiers. Other notable players, including Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei, and Alidu Seidu, are also unavailable due to injury or personal reasons. The Black Stars have arrived in Bouaké ahead of their clash with Ivory Coast on Thursday, which kicks off at 19:00 GMT.
Ghana will then return to Accra to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 27 September. Somalia is the other team in Group C, and Ghana hopes to secure a place at the 2027 AFCON after missing out on the 2025 tournament in Morocco. The team's preparation for the qualifiers has been impacted by the absence of key players.
Kurt Okraku made these revelations on Asempa FM's Ultimate Sports Show. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing Semenyo's long-term recovery over short-term gains. The Ghana FA president emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of the player and the team.
The Black Stars will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October. This match will provide an opportunity for the team to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Ghana's performance in the qualifiers will be crucial in determining their chances of making it to the tournament.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers are heating up, and teams are gearing up to secure a spot in the tournament. Ghana's Black Stars are facing stiff competition from other teams in Group C, including Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Somalia. The team's ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining their success in the qualifiers.
Key points
- Antoine Semenyo withdraws from Black Stars squad due to injury.
- Ghana faces Ivory Coast and The Gambia in 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- Several high-profile players are unavailable for Ghana's opening qualifiers.
