Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has called on the media not to overstate the impact of several key player withdrawals from the Black Stars squad ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The withdrawals have raised concerns, but Okraku insists the absences are due to genuine injuries or personal reasons. The Black Stars, four-time African champions, face a challenging campaign in Group C against Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
The Black Stars have been dealt a significant blow with the absence of key players, including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei, and Alidu Seidu. Okraku explained that Jordan Ayew and Baba Rahman were advised to focus on their club commitments after medical assessments revealed they were not fit for international duty. The GFA president emphasized that the withdrawals are not related to the technical team or the Football Association.
Okraku provided further clarification on the absences of other key players, stating that Antoine Semenyo had a physical reaction after playing for his club over the weekend, while Thomas Partey was unavailable due to a swollen leg. The GFA president assured that the federation is aware of the medical history of all players and that the situation should not be exaggerated. The team has already begun reshaping its squad with new call-ups.
In response to the withdrawals, head coach Carlos Queiroz has called up new players, including Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan, and Jonas Adjetey. The team has also handed senior international call-ups to Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim. These new additions aim to bolster the squad as Ghana seeks to rebound from their failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
The Black Stars are set to face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home match against Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later. The team will then conclude the international window with a friendly match against Morocco in Tangier on October 4. Okraku remains optimistic about the team’s chances despite the setbacks.
Okraku expressed confidence in the team’s ability to navigate the challenges posed by the withdrawals. He emphasized that the situation is real and not a case of players deliberately withdrawing from the squad. The GFA president is focused on ensuring the team performs well in the upcoming matches.
The GFA has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Black Stars during this critical period. With a revamped squad and a positive outlook, Ghana aims to make a strong statement in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. The team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association is handling the withdrawals of key players from the Black Stars squad with transparency and caution.
- New players have been called up to bolster the squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
- The Black Stars face a challenging campaign in Group C against Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
