BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Ghana midfielder Kwasi Sibo has emerged as the major absentee from the Black Stars’ 26-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia, bringing an end to his recent run as a regular member of the senior national team.
The 28-year-old has been overlooked by head coach Kim Lars Björkegren following a difficult period at both club and international level, raising questions about his immediate future in the Black Stars setup.
Sibo had gradually established himself as an important option in Ghana’s midfield after making his senior international debut on September 8, 2025. Since then, he has earned 14 caps for the national team, including four appearances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His rise into the Black Stars setup represented a significant step in his career, with the midfielder becoming one of the players regularly considered for national team assignments.
However, his recent performances have come under scrutiny, particularly following Ghana’s disappointing opening matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The midfielder featured in the Black Stars’ encounters against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, but struggled to make the desired impact as Ghana suffered defeats in both fixtures. The results attracted criticism of the team’s overall performance, with Sibo also facing questions about his contribution in the middle of the park.
The failure to collect points from the opening qualifying matches increased pressure on the technical team to reconsider its options ahead of the next round of fixtures.
Sibo’s omission also comes at a time when his club career has encountered challenges following his move to Libyan side Al-Swehly in August 2026.
The midfielder joined the Libyan outfit as a free agent after departing Spanish club Real Oviedo, signing a three-year contract with an option for an additional year.
His transfer attracted attention because of reports surrounding the financial package involved in the move. Although the reported figures were not officially confirmed, expectations were high that the Ghanaian midfielder would become an important figure at his new club.
However, securing regular playing time has proved difficult since his arrival in Libya.His involvement in Al-Swehly’s CAF Champions League campaign was limited to two appearances as the club suffered elimination against Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis in the second preliminary round.
Al-Swehly had taken a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, raising hopes of progressing to the next stage. However, Espérance responded with a 1-0 victory in the return fixture, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout, where the Tunisian side secured qualification.
The early continental exit was another disappointment for Al-Swehly, while Sibo’s limited involvement meant he had fewer opportunities to establish himself through the campaign.
The combination of his club situation and the criticism surrounding his recent national team performances appears to have coincided with his exclusion from Björkegren’s latest selection.
