Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, has made significant changes to their squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Mohammed Fuseini, a forward for Derby County, has been called up to replace Mohammed Kudus, who has withdrawn from the team due to injury concerns. Kudus, who recently returned to action for Tottenham Hotspur after a seven-month injury absence, has chosen to sit out this international window to avoid jeopardizing his recovery.
The withdrawal of Kudus and uncertainty over Prince Adu Kwabena's fitness have left Ghana's attacking options depleted. Adu Kwabena, a forward for Viktoria Plzen, suffered a head injury during his team's weekend defeat to Slavia Praha and is awaiting further medical assessment to determine his availability for the qualifiers. His potential absence will be a significant blow to the team, which is set to face continental heavyweights in the qualifiers.
Mohammed Fuseini's call-up marks his first Black Stars recall since the 2025 Unity Cup in London, where he made an eye-catching senior debut. He came off the bench against Nigeria and started in the third-place playoff, scoring in a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Fuseini's recent form for Derby County, where he scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Burnley, likely contributed to his recall.
The reshuffle underscores the challenges facing Ghana's coach, Carlos Queiroz, as he rebuilds the team. Queiroz has emphasized the importance of balancing present and future goals, and the team's performance in the qualifiers will be closely watched by fans. Ghana's squad is considered thin in attacking options, making the inclusion of Fuseini and the potential absence of Adu Kwabena significant concerns.
Ghana will open their qualifying campaign away to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September, before hosting Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium five days later. The international window will close with a friendly against Morocco on 4 October. Fuseini is expected to link up with the Black Stars camp this week, while a final decision on Adu Kwabena's inclusion is pending further medical checks.
The Black Stars' preparation for the qualifiers has been marked by setbacks, with Kudus and Adu Kwabena's availability uncertain. However, the team's recent performances suggest that they have the potential to compete against top-level opponents. The inclusion of Fuseini and the experience of other players will be crucial in determining the team's success in the qualifiers.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be a significant test for Ghana's national team, and the team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts. The team's ability to adapt to the absence of key players and still achieve their goals will be a key factor in determining their success.
Key points
- Mohammed Fuseini has been called up to replace Mohammed Kudus in Ghana's Black Stars squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- Prince Adu Kwabena's fitness is uncertain due to a head injury, and his availability for the qualifiers is pending further medical checks.
- Ghana will face continental heavyweights in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, starting with a match against Côte d'Ivoire on 24 September.
