Ghana's Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has played down the impact of the team's lengthy injury list ahead of Thursday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Côte d'Ivoire. The team will be without several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, vice-captain Thomas Partey, and forwards Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo. Despite these notable absences, Queiroz insists he has complete confidence in the players available and believes they have enough quality to deliver a strong performance.
Queiroz emphasized that the most important players are those who are available, stating, "We don't like to see players injured. We love to see the best players on the pitch all the time. But sometimes it's not possible." He expressed confidence in the team's potential, saying, "We are a strong team. We have a lot of potential. We have full confidence that the players we have called are ready to perform."
The coach highlighted the importance of having talented players with enthusiasm and great talent. He mentioned that the team has brought in players who can perform well, and he is optimistic about their chances. Queiroz's comments suggest that he is focused on the team's abilities rather than the absences.
Ghana will face Côte d'Ivoire, the 2023 AFCON champions, in their opening qualifier. The match will take place in Bouaké, and Queiroz is aware of the challenge ahead. However, he believes his team has what it takes to secure a good result.
The injury list for Ghana's Black Stars has been a concern, with several key players ruled out. In addition to Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo, other players have also withdrawn from the squad due to injuries. This has raised concerns about the team's chances in the qualifier.
Despite these concerns, Queiroz remains optimistic about the team's prospects. He has expressed confidence in the players available and believes they can deliver a strong performance against Côte d'Ivoire. The coach's comments suggest that he is focused on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the absences.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Côte d'Ivoire is a crucial match for Ghana's Black Stars. A good result would be a significant boost to their chances of advancing to the tournament. Queiroz and his team will be looking to make a strong statement in the match.
Key points
- Ghana's Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed confidence in his team's abilities despite a lengthy injury list ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Côte d'Ivoire.
- The team will be without several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, vice-captain Thomas Partey, and forwards Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo.
- Queiroz believes the players available have enough quality to deliver a strong performance against the 2023 AFCON champions.
