Carlos Queiroz Names 24-Man Black Stars Squad as Kudus Returns for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia. This announcement coincides with Queiroz’s return to Ghana to finalize a two-year contract extension, a move supported by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following his leadership during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he guided the team to the Round of 32. The squad selection signals a strategic shift as Ghana begins its campaign to secure a spot in the continental tournament, starting with a high-stakes clash against Côte d'Ivoire on September 24, followed by a home match against Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 27.

The most significant roster update is the return of star midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who missed the 2026 World Cup due to injury. Kudus is joined by other returning players, including Alexander Djiku, Ibrahim Osman, Nathaniel Adjei, and Ibrahim Sulemana. In a move to inject fresh talent, Queiroz has handed maiden senior call-ups to Jan Gyamerah and 21-year-old Ronald Donkor. Donkor, currently playing for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, has impressed the technical team with six goal involvements and an 85% pass accuracy this season. However, the squad will be without Thomas Partey, who is still recovering from injury, and several World Cup regulars including Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, and Abdul Mumin.

Coach Queiroz has used this international window to manage public expectations, urging Ghanaians to remain realistic about the team's current trajectory. Despite the national desire for silverware, Queiroz emphasized that the immediate priority is the qualification process itself, stating, "We cannot win AFCON when we have not qualified." His stated long-term vision involves building a robust and competitive squad capable of contending at the 2030 World Cup. This pragmatic approach follows a period of rebuilding after the team suffered recent group-stage exits in previous continental tournaments.

The road ahead remains challenging as Ghana’s first opponent, Côte d’Ivoire, led by head coach Hervé Renard, is also finalizing its preparations. While the Ivorians will be missing key players like Diallo, Adingra, and Singo, they remain a formidable threat in the group. Following the two competitive qualifiers, the Black Stars are scheduled to play an international friendly against Morocco on October 4. This series of matches will serve as a critical litmus test for Queiroz’s newly extended project as he seeks to stabilize the team and restore Ghana's status as a dominant force in African football.