2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Kurt Okraku backs Black Stars despite injury setbacks before Ivory Coast and Gambia games
Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku says he remains confident the Black Stars can make a positive start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign despite a series of high-profile withdrawals.
The four-time African champions have regrouped for the first time since their participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are preparing for qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
However, head coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to deal with several absences, with captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Prince Kwabena Adu, Alidu Seidu and Nathaniel Adjei among the players ruled out of the upcoming matches.
Despite the setback, Okraku believes the squad assembled for the two qualifiers is capable of delivering the results needed.
"I am positive about the players that the coach has assembled. They are very good players, very dedicated, and what we have to do is that we support these players," Okraku told Asempa FM.
The GFA president acknowledged the limited preparation time available to the squad but urged Ghanaians to rally behind the team.
"The players have had two days of training sessions, which is not good, but the players have trained and at this point, what we have to do as a country is to support the team and ensure the team qualify for the AFCON, where we belong.
"In 2018, we did not qualify for the World Cup, but when we came together, we made it to 2022 and 2026, and this is where we belong, and I know that when we qualify, everyone will be happy," he added.
The Black Stars have responded to the latest absences with a number of late call-ups as Carlos Queiroz prepares his squad for the opening assignment.
Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan and Jonas Adjetey are among the players added to the squad.
Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim have also received their first call-ups to the senior national team.
Ghana begin their Group C qualifying campaign against Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
The Black Stars are seeking a return to the AFCON finals after failing to qualify for the most recent edition in Morocco, ending a streak of appearances at the continental tournament.
Following the two qualifiers, Ghana will face Morocco in an international friendly in Tangier on 4 October as Queiroz continues preparations for the rest of the qualifying campaign.