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AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Kurt Okraku urges calm over Black Stars’ injury withdrawals before Ivory Coast, Gambia clashes
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has urged the media not to read too much into the wave of withdrawals that has affected the Black Stars ahead of their opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The four-time African champions have been forced to cope without several key players, with Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei and Alidu Seidu all ruled out through injury or personal reasons for the upcoming fixtures against Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Okraku insisted the absences were genuine and unrelated to the Ghana Football Association or the technical team.
“Jordan Ayew has been one of the best players and one of the players we can always count on, but after an MRI scan, the medical team told Ayew and Baba Rahman to focus on their clubs, and we can invite them in the future,” he said.
“Semenyo played over the weekend and had a reaction, which is normal. Antoine was willing to come, but the truth is that he had a swollen leg, which prevented him from coming.
“As a federation, we know the medical history of all the players.
“We should not overstretch this discussion because the situation at hand is real. These players are injured, and that is the fact. It has nothing to do with the technical team or the Football Association.”
The withdrawals have prompted head coach Carlos Queiroz to make changes to his squad ahead of the Group C qualifiers.
Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan and Jonas Adjetey have been called up as replacements, while Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim have received their first senior international invitations.
Ghana begin their qualifying campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September before hosting Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
The Black Stars are seeking a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after failing to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco — the first time in more than two decades that Ghana missed out on the continental finals.
Queiroz’s side will then round off the international window with a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on 4 October.
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
