Carlos Queiroz Faces Selection Dilemma as Black Stars Prepare for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia

Head coach Carlos Queiroz is set to lead Ghana’s Black Stars into the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, starting with a high-stakes encounter against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24. Following a successful run to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Queiroz has been retained to bring stability and consistency to a national side looking to redeem itself after missing the 2025 AFCON tournament. Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Henry Asante Twum confirmed that the squad for the upcoming double-header—which includes a home match against The Gambia on September 29—will be officially announced during the week of September 21–25.

The team's preparation, however, is clouded by significant injury concerns involving key personnel. Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has raised serious doubts regarding the fitness of star midfielder Mohammed Kudus. Although Kudus has made limited substitute appearances for his club following a recent injury, De Zerbi emphasized that the player has yet to reach peak physical condition and may not be ready for international duty. Furthermore, the Black Stars are expected to be without vice-captain Thomas Partey due to ongoing injury issues, while the attacking department faces a permanent void following the international retirement of Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams.

To address these absences, Queiroz is considering several in-form players currently excelling in foreign leagues. Augustine Boakye of Saint-Étienne, who has recorded three goals and two assists this season, and Swansea City’s 20-year-old winger Joseph Opoku are among the top contenders for a call-up. In midfield, Rahim Ibrahim of Slovan Bratislava and Ibrahim Sulemana are being touted as potential replacements for Partey, with Sulemana specifically noted for his defensive discipline and passing accuracy. Defensive depth could be bolstered by Lorient’s Nathaniel Adjei, while MLS striker Prince Osei-Owusu, who has netted 13 goals in 22 appearances, offers a physical presence to mitigate the loss of Williams.

Despite calls from some sections of the fanbase for a more expansive and attacking style of play, the technical team remains focused on a pragmatic "results-first" approach. This strategy aims to navigate a challenging qualifying group that also includes Somalia. As the GFA finalizes the assessment of Queiroz’s submitted squad list, the primary objective for the Black Stars remains restoring their status as a dominant force in African football through a disciplined and efficient qualification process.