Carlos Queiroz Reshuffles Black Stars Squad as Brandon Thomas-Asante and Mohammed Fuseini Receive Late AFCON Qualifier Call-ups

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to make strategic adjustments to his squad ahead of the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. The technical team confirmed late call-ups for Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante and Derby County’s Mohammed Fuseini. These inclusions come as a response to the withdrawal of talismanic playmaker Mohammed Kudus, who is focusing on a full recovery from injury, and growing concerns over the fitness of Prince Adu Kwabena.

Prince Adu Kwabena’s availability is in serious doubt after the 22-year-old forward sustained a head injury while playing for Viktoria Plzeň in their 2-1 defeat against Slavia Prague. Kwabena was stretchered off in the final minutes of the match, and while Viktoria Plzeň manager Radoslav Kováč expressed hope that the injury is not severe, the striker remains a major doubt for the international window. This double blow to Ghana’s attacking options necessitated the swift recall of Thomas-Asante, who was a member of the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, and Fuseini, who has been in fine form for Derby County, recently scoring a last-minute equalizer against Burnley.

Fuseini’s return to the national team follows his debut during the 2025 Unity Cup, where he previously impressed by scoring against Trinidad and Tobago. His recent performances in the English Championship have made him a natural choice to provide cover for the sidelined Kudus. Meanwhile, other members of the Black Stars have been showing strong form abroad; goalkeeper Frederick Asare was recently named Man of the Match for Durban City in the South African Premier League, and Ernest Nuamah contributed a brace for his club side, providing coach Queiroz with some positive momentum heading into the training camp.

The Black Stars are set to begin their qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home fixture against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. The international break will conclude with a high-profile friendly against Morocco in Tangier on October 4. With the squad now finalized, the focus shifts to whether the late additions can integrate quickly enough to secure crucial points in Ghana’s quest for 2027 AFCON qualification.