AFCON 2027: Ghana will need a miracle to qualify, says Laryea Kingston

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston believes the Black Stars will need a miracle to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following their disappointing start to the campaign.

The four-time African champions are bottom of Group C without a point after losing their opening two matches.

Ghana began their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast in Bouaké before suffering a 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium, despite taking a two-goal lead.

The results have left the Black Stars facing an uphill battle to secure qualification for the tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The disappointing start also led to the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, with an interim technical team appointed to oversee the team's next two qualifiers against Somalia in November.

Kingston, who currently serves as head coach of Uganda's junior national teams, believes Ghana's position in the group has made their qualification hopes increasingly difficult.

“Looking at the situation now, it will be a miracle for us to qualify,” he told 3Sports.

“Two teams have six points; it means Ghana will have to win all games. For me, it will be very difficult, and it will take a miracle to turn things around,” he added.

Ghana will be hoping to revive their campaign against Somalia as they seek to recover from their early setbacks and keep their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament alive.

The interim technical team comprises Kim Lars Björkegren, Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, with Fatawu Dauda serving as goalkeeper coach.

The team will remain in charge until a new head coach is appointed by the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation in November.

With their qualification campaign already under pressure, the Black Stars will need a significant improvement in results to regain control of their bid to reach the continental showpiece.