Black Stars Face Squad Crisis as Carlos Queiroz Names Nine Replacements for 2027 AFCON Qualifiers

The Black Stars have officially opened camp in Accra to prepare for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, but the buildup has been marred by a significant wave of player withdrawals. Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to overhaul his squad ahead of critical encounters against C$te d’Ivoire and The Gambia, following the loss of several senior starters to injury and club-related recovery protocols. Despite these setbacks, the team commenced training at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 21, 2026, with an initial group of players including Benjamin Asare, Gideon Mensah, and first-time call-up Ronald Donkor.

Captain Jordan Ayew is the most prominent absence, ruled out after a groin injury sustained while playing for Sheffield United. Other key stars missing include Mohammed Kudus, whose withdrawal Queiroz attributed to respecting Tottenham’s recovery schedule, and Antoine Semenyo, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Defender Baba Rahman also withdrew due to a knee injury expected to keep him out for two weeks, while Inaki Williams and Prince Kwabena Adu are among others unavailable for the upcoming window. This exodus of talent has sparked public concern, with figures like musician D-Black questioning the reasons behind the high number of high-profile players stepping back from the national team.

To fill the void, Queiroz has handed late call-ups to nine players, mixing experienced returns with fresh talent. The additions include defenders Alidu Seidu (OGC Nice), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Ebenezer Annan (Rapid Bucharest), and Rockson Yeboah (Osasuna); midfielder Rahim Ibrahim; and forwards Felix Afena-Gyan, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, and Benjamin Tetteh. For Ronald Donkor, the opportunity is a dream realized; the midfielder recounted waiting for the official announcement in disbelief before celebrating the career milestone with his mother.

During a media briefing held on September 21, Coach Queiroz remained defiant against criticism of his tactical approach. Asserting that he will not change the defensive philosophy that has defined his 47-year coaching career, Queiroz emphasized that success requires more than just talent on the pitch. He argued for a holistic investment in Ghanaian football infrastructure, youth education, and medical support, using the analogy of world-class musicians to illustrate that talent cannot flourish without the right logistical facilities and conditions.

The Black Stars face a daunting start to their campaign, traveling to face C$te d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24, before returning to Accra to host The Gambia on Tuesday, September 29. An international friendly against Morocco is also planned. As Queiroz manages this transitional period with an eye toward a long-term "2030 plan" for Ghanaian football, the immediate focus remains on securing points in a qualifying group that has suddenly become a major test of the squad's depth.