Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 24-man squad for the September–October international window, handing Mohammed Kudus a long-awaited return while leaving out deputy captain Thomas Partey for Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Kudus, who missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury, returns to the squad after seven months on the sidelines, headlining a list that also recalls Alexander Djiku, Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Sulemana, and Ibrahim Osman — all of whom were absent from Ghana’s World Cup campaign in Mexico, Canada and the USA. The Tottenham forward last featured for Ghana in October 2025 during the World Cup qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros.
Partey Left Out Despite Return to Training
There was no place for Thomas Partey, despite the 33-year-old having returned to training with Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during a league clash with Al Riyadh in August. Partey has been undergoing rehabilitation under the club’s fitness staff and has been ruled out of Al Shabab’s recent fixtures against Al-Kholood and Al-Fayha as the club prioritises his full recovery.
Two Debutants as Queiroz Blends Youth with Experience
Queiroz handed maiden senior call-ups to Jan Gyamerah and Ronald Donkor. Gyamerah, a right-back with German second-tier side SV Elversberg, has been rewarded for an impressive start to the 2026–27 campaign, making four appearances this season. The defender brings considerable experience from German football, having previously represented Kaiserslautern, Nürnberg, Hamburger SV and VfL Bochum.
Donkor, a 22-year-old midfielder with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, earns his first call-up following a string of strong performances in the MLS. He began his career at the JMG Football Academy in Mali before moving to Guidars FC and joined the Red Bulls in May 2023, establishing himself as an important member of the club’s squad.
Notable Absentees
Alongside Partey, the squad is without Brandon-Thomas Asante, Abdul Mumim, Alidu Seidu, Jonas Adjetey, and Elisha Owusu. Their omission signals Queiroz’s intent to reshape the squad as Ghana begins a new qualifying cycle following their Round-of-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup.
Queiroz’s Second Mandate
The squad announcement marks Queiroz’s first major assignment since his reappointment in early September. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach stepped down after Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the World Cup Round of 32 on 3 July, but the Ghana Football Association moved to bring him back two months later, citing his “extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars” as key to leading the team into its next phase.
Queiroz initially took charge in April ahead of the global finals and steered Ghana through the group stage, where they beat Panama 1-0 and secured an impressive 0-0 draw with England before losing 2-1 to Croatia and qualifying for the knockout phase.
Group C: A Tough Road Ahead
Ghana have been drawn in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia. The top two teams after six matchdays will qualify for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Black Stars open their campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, 24 September, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, 29 September. Ghana will then travel to Tangier for an international friendly against Morocco on Sunday, 4 October.
The clash with Côte d’Ivoire carries added weight, with the Ivorians holding a narrow historical edge in competitive meetings. Former Ghana FA vice-president George Afriyie has insisted that the Black Stars “have no business” missing the 2027 tournament, expressing confidence that Ghana can secure at least second place in the group despite the challenge posed by the Ivorians.
Morocco Test Awaits
The friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger will provide Queiroz with a valuable opportunity to test his squad against one of Africa’s leading sides. Morocco, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and have maintained impressive form, will use the match as part of their own preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The fixture renews a long-standing rivalry, with Morocco having won the two most recent senior meetings 1-0.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders: Gideon Mensah (FC Köln), Baba Rahman (PAOK), Jan Gyamerah (SV Elversberg), Derrick Luckassen (Red Star Belgrade), Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient), Jerome Opoku (İstanbul Başakşehir), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Fenerbahçe), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow)
Midfielders: Kwasi Sibo (Swehly Club), Caleb Yirenkyi (Coventry City), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Ronald Donkor (New York Red Bulls), Ibrahim Sulemana (Sassuolo)
Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Ipswich Town), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Ibrahim Osman (Brighton & Hove Albion), Prince Adu Kwabena (Viktoria Plzeň), Jordan Ayew (Sheffield United)
