Ghana's Black Stars head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has called up nine additional players to the squad ahead of the team's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures. The new additions were made necessary due to medical withdrawals from several key players, including Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham. The expanded squad will face Cote d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the qualifiers, as well as Morocco in an international friendly. This development aims to bolster the team's chances in the competition.
The nine new players added to the squad span all positions, including four defenders, a midfielder, and four forwards from clubs across Europe and Asia. Defenders Jonas Adjetey of VfL Wolfsburg, Alidu Seidu of OGC Nice, Ebenezer Annan of Rapid Bucharest, and Rockson Yeboah of Osasuna have been drafted into the squad. Their inclusion is expected to strengthen the team's defensive lineup.
In midfield, Rahim Ibrahim of Slovan Bratislava has been brought in to bolster options in the centre of the park. The coaching staff has also handed opportunities to four attacking players: Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini of Derby County, Benjamin Tetteh of Kalba, and Felix Afena-Gyan of Igdir FK. These additions aim to enhance the team's attacking capabilities.
The withdrawals, led by Kudus, created significant gaps across multiple positions, prompting the coaching staff to cast a wide net across leagues in Europe and beyond to assemble a competitive group. Ghana's upcoming fixtures represent critical points in the race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The team's performance in these matches will be crucial in determining their standing in the competition.
Carlos Queiroz had previously spoken about Mohammed Kudus' decision to withdraw from Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifying squad. Kudus initially joined the squad after featuring for Tottenham but later pulled out despite early talks with Queiroz being positive. The coach has not publicly disclosed further details about Kudus' withdrawal.
The Black Stars' upcoming matches against Cote d'Ivoire and The Gambia carry significant weight in the standings, with a win crucial for Ghana's qualification prospects. The team's international friendly against Morocco will also provide valuable preparation for the upcoming qualifiers. The coaching staff will be looking to build a cohesive unit with the new additions.
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe, a CAF-accredited journalist, reported on the developments in the Black Stars squad. With over five years of experience in digital journalism, Tagoe has covered significant sporting events, including the 2023 AFCON and grassroots competitions within Ghana. His expertise provides valuable insights into Ghana's football scene.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz adds 9 players to the Black Stars squad due to medical withdrawals.
- The new players added to the squad include defenders, a midfielder, and four forwards from clubs across Europe and Asia.
- Ghana faces Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, and Morocco in upcoming international fixtures.
