Ghana's Black Stars have suffered a significant blow ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia, with defender Alexander Djiku being ruled out of the match due to an injury. Djiku has left the Black Stars camp and is expected to return to his club for further assessment and treatment. This development is a setback for head coach Carlos Queiroz, who has already had to deal with several withdrawals ahead of the crucial home fixture.
The Black Stars are looking to bounce back from their disappointing start to the qualifying campaign, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in their opening qualifier in Bouaké. Djiku played in Ghana's defeat to the Ivorians but will now miss the match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday. The defender's withdrawal further reduces Queiroz's options in defence as Ghana seek to secure their first points of the campaign.
This injury blow adds to the challenges facing Queiroz, who has been dealing with several player withdrawals ahead of the match. The Black Stars will be hoping to return to winning ways against The Gambia and put their AFCON qualification campaign back on track. The team's performance in the qualifiers has been under scrutiny, with Queiroz emphasizing the importance of results in the competition.
The Gambia, on the other hand, have been preparing for the match after beating Somalia 2-1 in their previous qualifier. The Black Stars will need to be at their best to secure a win against the Gambians, who will be looking to cause an upset at the Accra Sports Stadium. The match promises to be a crucial encounter in Group C of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Carlos Queiroz has expressed frustration with the absence of players due to injuries and other reasons, stating that it is difficult to prepare for matches without a full squad. The Portuguese coach has been working to assemble his best team for the qualifiers, but the absence of Djiku and other players has made it challenging.
The Black Stars have a significant following in Ghana, and the team's performance in the qualifiers has been widely discussed in the media. The Ghana Football Association and the team's fans will be eagerly waiting for the match against The Gambia, hoping that the team can secure a win and get back on track in the qualifiers.
The match against The Gambia is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the Black Stars seeking to secure their first points in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The team will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by the Gambians and get back on track in the competition.
Key points
- Alexander Djiku has been ruled out of Ghana's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia due to an injury.
