Ghanaian musician D-Black has raised concerns about the reported withdrawals of Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams from the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In a post on X on September 22, 2026, D-Black questioned the circumstances surrounding the players' withdrawals, suggesting that there may be an underlying problem within the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The reported withdrawals present a challenge for head coach Carlos Queiroz, who is also set to be without Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus due to an ankle injury. According to multiple reports, Semenyo has asked the technical team to excuse him from the squad for the September/October international break. This development comes as a surprise, especially after Semenyo's recent performance in the Premier League.
Ghana will face Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 and The Gambia on September 29, before playing Morocco in a friendly on October 4, 2026. The team will be aiming to secure positive results in their two AFCON qualifying matches and strengthen their position in the race for a place at the tournament. The Black Stars are looking to avoid the uncertainty of a late qualification push.
D-Black's concerns are echoed in his post, where he wrote that "Something must be very wrong up there" in reference to the withdrawals of Inaki Williams and Semenyo. The musician's comments have sparked discussions among football fans, with many speculating about the reasons behind the players' withdrawals. The GFA has not officially commented on the matter.
The Black Stars' upcoming matches are crucial in their quest for a place at the 2027 AFCON. The team will face stiff competition from other West African teams, including Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. A strong performance in these matches will be essential in boosting the team's chances of qualification.
Mohammed Kudus's ankle injury adds to the team's woes, with the Tottenham Hotspur forward being a key player for the Black Stars. His absence will be felt, especially in the team's attacking lineup. The team's technical staff will need to come up with a new strategy to cope with the absence of Kudus, Semenyo, and Inaki Williams.
The withdrawals have raised questions about the team's preparedness for the upcoming matches. The GFA and the team's technical staff will need to address the issues surrounding the players' withdrawals and provide a clear explanation for the same. The team's fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team performs in the upcoming matches.
Key points
- D-Black raises concerns about the reported withdrawals of Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams from the Black Stars squad.
- The withdrawals present a challenge for head coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- The Black Stars will face Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Morocco in their upcoming matches.
