The Gambia's assistant coach, Abdul Jammeh, has downplayed concerns about Ghana's injury list ahead of their AFCON 2027 qualifier in Accra. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on September 28, Jammeh emphasized that his own team's absentees have a greater impact on the match. He noted that The Gambia's five missing players have scored nearly 24 goals in recent months, suggesting that their absence has a more significant effect on the team's performance.
Jammeh also highlighted the disparity in preparation time between the two teams. Over the past six months, his technical team has had only ten days with their players, compared to an estimated 40 days that Carlos Queiroz has had with the Black Stars. Despite this limited preparation time, Jammeh maintained that The Gambia has prepared adequately for the match.
The two teams enter the match with contrasting form. The Gambia began Group C with a 2-1 win over Somalia, while Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. This loss has put pressure on the Black Stars to secure a win at home. Ghana's own absentee list is notable, with players like Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Thomas Partey unavailable for the current round of qualifiers.
The absence of established stars like Kudus, Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Partey raises questions about squad depth as Queiroz rebuilds around newer faces. Ghanaian football followers are eager to see a strong response from the team, as a poor result at home would put early pressure on Ghana's push to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The match carries significant weight for Ghanaian football, with national pride and career implications for many players on the line. A win would help the Black Stars keep their qualification hopes alive, while a loss could make their task more difficult. The Gambia, on the other hand, will look to build on their positive start to the campaign.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 pm on September 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with Moroccan referee Mustapha Kechchaf officiating the match. The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are a series of matches played by national teams across the continent to determine which sides advance to the main tournament.
Ghana's Black Stars are competing in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in the race for a place at the 2027 edition. The team's performance in the qualifiers will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as they look to make a strong impression under coach Carlos Queiroz.
Key points
- The Gambia's assistant coach Abdul Jammeh believes his team's five absent players have a greater impact on the match than Ghana's injury list.
- Ghana's Black Stars are under pressure to secure a win at home against The Gambia after suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Côte d'Ivoire in their opening fixture.
- The match is a crucial part of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Ghana and The Gambia competing in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire for a place at the tournament.
