Ghanaian rapper and businessman D-Black has expressed concern over the growing number of Black Stars players withdrawing from the national team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Several players, including Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus, have pulled out of the squad due to injury concerns or other reasons. D-Black took to social media to question the reasons behind their unavailability, tweeting "Inaki Williams, now Semenyo, Baba Rahman withdrawing from playing for Black Stars for AFCON…. Something must be very wrong up there."
The withdrawals have forced Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz to make several additions to his squad. Nine players, including Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, and Ebenezer Annan, have been called up to replace the absent players. Queiroz has acknowledged that the withdrawals have complicated Ghana's preparations, revealing that the team had lost eight players even before the start of camp. The Black Stars are scheduled to open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away against Côte d'Ivoire on September 24.
Semenyo was initially included in Queiroz's 24-man squad for the qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia, as well as the international friendly against Morocco. However, he has since withdrawn amid injury concerns. Kudus has also pulled out of the squad as he continues his recovery after recently returning to competitive action. The exact nature of their injuries and the timeline for their return to the team have not been disclosed.
The growing list of absentees has raised concerns about the team's readiness for the upcoming matches. Inaki Williams' absence is due to his recent announcement of retirement from international football. Other players, including Nathaniel Adjei and Prince Kwabena Adu, have withdrawn due to injury concerns. The Ghana Football Association has confirmed the inclusion of new players to bolster the squad.
D-Black's comments reflect the concerns of many Ghanaian football fans, who are worried about the impact of the withdrawals on the team's performance. The Black Stars are set to face Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, and Morocco in the coming weeks. The team's ability to adapt to the absence of key players will be crucial in determining their success in these matches.
The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that the team is working hard to prepare for the upcoming matches despite the setbacks. The association has expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome the challenges and achieve a positive result. The Black Stars have a rich football history and a dedicated fan base, who will be eagerly following their progress in the qualifiers.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers are an important milestone for Ghanaian football, and the team's performance will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike. The team's coach, Carlos Queiroz, will be under pressure to deliver a positive result despite the challenges posed by the withdrawals. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the team's fate in the qualifiers.
Key points
- Several Black Stars players have withdrawn from the team due to injury concerns or other reasons, forcing coach Carlos Queiroz to make several additions to his squad.
