AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: ‘Positive’ Kurt Okraku confident ‘DEDICATED’ Black Stars will deliver against Ivory Coast despite mass withdrawals

The senior national team has been hit with mass withdrawals, including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei and Alidu Seidu, all ruled out through injury or personal reasons.

Despite the many changes to Carlos Queiroz’s team, Okraku believes the replacements are good enough to challenge for a positive result in Bouake.

“I am very positive that the players assembled are good enough, very dedicated to fight for Ghana [against Ivory Coast],” he said.

“What they need is support. We need the prayers of everyone to support the players and the team.

“If the team qualifies back for the AFCON, it’s a glory to Ghana because that is where we belong,” he added.

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