Ghana's Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz, has emphasized the need for his players to maintain full concentration as the team begins their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The team faces a challenging opening fixture against Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later. Queiroz made the call after announcing his 24-man squad for the Group C matches.
Queiroz, 73, stressed that immediate qualification for the 2027 AFCON remains the priority. He told the Ghana FA media that the team's focus should be on the present, with their eyes set on the future. The Portuguese coach believes that Ghana must use the qualifying campaign as an opportunity to develop a team capable of competing at the 2030 World Cup. Queiroz's long-term vision is to build a team that can honor Ghana's extraordinary World Cup legacy.
The coach's comments come as Ghana prepares to face a difficult opening fixture against Côte d'Ivoire. The team's 24-man squad was announced, but Mohammed Kudus is expected to miss the games after withdrawing from the squad. Prince Adu Kwabena is also likely to miss the match against Ivory Coast due to a head injury sustained over the weekend. These absences may pose a challenge to Queiroz's team as they seek to secure a positive result against a tough opponent.
Ghana missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and is now targeting a return to the continental tournament next year. The team's performance in the qualifying campaign will be crucial in determining their chances of participating in the 2027 AFCON. Queiroz will have three matches to assess his squad, including a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on October 4.
The Black Stars' coach is not only focused on the immediate objective of qualifying for the AFCON but also on building a team for the 2030 World Cup. He believes that this is the moment to start constructing a team that can truly represent Ghana's football legacy. Queiroz's approach suggests that he is taking a long-term view of the team's development, which may involve nurturing young talent and integrating them into the squad.
The team's upcoming matches against Ivory Coast and Gambia will provide Queiroz with valuable insights into his players' abilities. The coach's selection criteria for the squad have been based on a thorough assessment of the players' skills and fitness levels. With a challenging schedule ahead, Queiroz will need to make tactical decisions to ensure that his team is well-prepared for the qualifying matches.
As Ghana prepares to face Ivory Coast and Gambia, the team's fans and supporters will be eagerly anticipating a positive outcome. The team's performance in the qualifying campaign will have a significant impact on the country's football landscape. With Queiroz at the helm, Ghana's football fans will be hoping that the team can achieve success and make a strong impression in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz emphasizes the need for full concentration ahead of Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Gambia.
