Carlos Queiroz says Black Stars' AFCON preparations hit by player absences

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says Ghana's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have been hampered by a series of player withdrawals, with eight players unavailable before the team even entered camp.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday ahead of Ghana's opening qualifying fixtures, the Portuguese coach said the squad's injury setbacks had made an already difficult task more challenging.

"When I started this journey, at the beginning, I looked at my paper, and I had 12 players out of the potential call-ups immediately. This is not a good starting point," Queiroz said.

He added that the situation worsened on the eve of camp.

"One day before you start camp for Ivory Coast, you lose eight players. This is not a good starting point."

Defender Nathaniel Adjei and forward Prince Kwabena Adu were among those forced to withdraw through injury.

Mohammed Kudus, who had initially returned to the squad after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup, has also pulled out as he continues his rehabilitation and works towards full fitness.

Queiroz said club form and match fitness remain key requirements for national team selection.

"There is always one general principle that we consider fundamental at this stage, except in exceptional circumstances: players should be in competitive action, physically prepared and fully ready to play for the national team."

Ghana begin their Group C campaign away to Côte d'Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.

The Black Stars will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.