BY GRACE ZIGAH
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to reshape his squad after adding nine players ahead of Ghana’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, as well as an international friendly against Morocco.
The late changes follow the withdrawal of Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus, defender Nathaniel Adjei and forward Prince Kwabena Adu, with the Ghana Football Association citing medical uncertainties surrounding some members of the original squad.
Queiroz has responded by strengthening his options across defence, midfield and attack as Ghana begin preparations for three international assignments during the current window.
Four defenders have been called up, with Jonas Adjetey of VfL Wolfsburg, Alidu Seidu of OGC Nice, Ebenezer Annan of Rapid Bucharest and Rockson Yeboah of Osasuna joining the squad.
Slovan Bratislava midfielder Rahim Ibrahim has also been drafted into the team, adding another option to Queiroz’s midfield ahead of the demanding qualifiers.
The coach has made significant changes to his attack as well. Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City, Derby County’s Mohammed Fuseini, Kalba striker Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan of Igdir FK have all been added to the squad.
The reinforcements come at a particularly important moment for Ghana, who opened camp in Accra on Monday, September 21, with preparations beginning for a campaign aimed at securing a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Ghana’s first assignment will be a difficult away encounter against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24. The Black Stars will then return home to face The Gambia three days later before rounding off the international programme with a friendly against Morocco on October 4.
The absence of Kudus is particularly significant given the Tottenham midfielder’s importance to Ghana, although his recent return from a lengthy injury layoff had already raised questions over his readiness for international football.
Queiroz must therefore use the expanded squad to assess alternative combinations while attempting to establish a settled team for the AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Black Stars continued training on Tuesday as the coaching staff intensified preparations for the Côte d’Ivoire clash.
