Carlos Queiroz to Unveil Black Stars Squad as GFA Defends Results-Oriented Strategy for 2027 AFCON Qualifiers

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to announce the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, marking a critical juncture for the national team. Head coach Carlos Queiroz, who recently secured a contract extension, is expected to submit his final selection shortly. The Black Stars are under immense pressure to perform after failing to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco—the first time Ghana missed the continental showpiece since 2004. Ghana has been drawn into a challenging Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia, with the opening qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire scheduled for September 24.

Amidst preparations, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has robustly defended the retention of the 73-year-old Queiroz, emphasizing that match outcomes take precedence over aesthetic style. Addressing critics of the team's tactical approach, Twum asserted that "people will remember you for your result and not your style," arguing that tangible success is the ultimate measure of a coach's legacy. This defense follows the Black Stars' performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team successfully navigated the group stage but was ultimately eliminated 1-0 by Colombia in the Round of 32.

Interest in the upcoming squad announcement is particularly high within the domestic league, as Hearts of Oak striker John Antwi has publicly expressed his desire for a national recall. Antwi, who debuted for the Black Stars in 2017, has made a strong case for inclusion following a standout performance in the Ghana Premier League, including a brace in a recent 4-0 victory over Berekum Chelsea. While the coaching staff has been monitoring both local and international talent since the World Cup, the final roster will be finalized once Queiroz returns to Ghana to complete logistics for the training camp.

The qualification series serves as a redemption mission for the GFA and the national team. Following the match against Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana is scheduled to face The Gambia on September 27. The Gambia’s head coach, Jonathan McKinstry, has already signaled the intensity of the upcoming clash by releasing his preliminary squad for the encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium. For Ghana, the mandate remains clear: secure a return to the AFCON stage and restore the Black Stars' status as a dominant force in African football.