Ghana national team, the Black Stars, has called up Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante following a series of injuries to other players. Thomas-Asante was initially dropped from Carlos Queiroz's 24-man squad but has been recalled due to the injuries. Prince Adu Kwabena suffered a head injury during Viktoria Plzen's match against Slavia Prague on 20 September 2026 and was subsequently withdrawn from Ghana's squad. This development forced a late reshuffle, with Thomas-Asante filling the vacant slot.
Adu Kwabena's injury was not the only disruption to Queiroz's plans for the September-October international window. Mohammed Kudus, who has been managing fitness issues following a lengthy layoff, chose to stay with Tottenham and pulled out of the squad. Kudus's exit created a second vacancy, which Ghana filled by calling up Mohammed Fuseini. Thomas-Asante's recall marks a swift change of fortune for the player, who was part of Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad but was left out of the original 24-man list for this window.
Thomas-Asante featured for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, where the Black Stars were eliminated in the Round of 32. In the team's opening match, he set up Caleb Yirenkyi for the only goal in a 1-0 win over Panama. Despite his contribution, he was among the notable names left out when Queiroz named his original 24-man squad for this window. His recall gives Queiroz an experienced forward with recent World Cup pedigree to call upon during the qualifiers.
Ghana's squad reshuffle comes just days before a demanding run of fixtures. The Black Stars are set to face Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September as part of their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, before hosting Gambia in Accra on 29 September in another qualifier. The window closes with a friendly against Morocco on 4 October 2026. For a squad already dealing with the loss of an established striking option in Adu Kwabena and the continued fitness management of Kudus, Thomas-Asante's recall provides a boost.
Queiroz had earlier spoken about balancing current results with longer-term squad building. He is expected to address the media further ahead of the Côte d'Ivoire fixture. Neither GhanaWeb nor MyJoyOnline provided further detail on the extent of Adu Kwabena's head injury or a timeline for his recovery. No fresh update on Kudus's fitness has been given beyond his decision to remain with Tottenham this window.
Thomas-Asante's return to the Black Stars fold is a significant development for the team, especially given his experience in major tournaments. His recall highlights the challenges faced by Queiroz in managing the squad, particularly with injuries and fitness concerns affecting key players. The Black Stars will look to make a strong impression in the upcoming fixtures, with Thomas-Asante potentially playing a crucial role.
The Black Stars' coaching staff will be monitoring the fitness of the squad closely, especially with the demanding fixtures ahead. Thomas-Asante's experience and skills will be valuable assets for the team. The recall also demonstrates the importance of having a deep and talented pool of players to choose from, as Queiroz and his team navigate the challenges of the international window.
Key points
- Brandon Thomas-Asante recalled to Black Stars squad due to injuries
- Prince Adu Kwabena and Mohammed Kudus forced to withdraw from squad due to injuries and fitness issues
- Black Stars face demanding fixtures against Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Morocco in the upcoming international window
