Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has urged his players to maintain full concentration as Ghana begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Ghana face a difficult opening fixture against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
Queiroz, 73, made the call after naming his 24-man squad for the opening Group C matches, stressing that immediate qualification for the 2027 AFCON remains the priority.
“Hands on the present, eyes on the future. The priority is very clear: absolute focus on AFCON qualification, with our eyes set on the 2030 World Cup,” Queiroz told Ghana FA media.
The Portuguese coach said Ghana must use the qualifying campaign as an opportunity to develop a team capable of competing at the 2030 World Cup.
“We have an immediate objective that demands our full concentration, but we also have a greater destination ahead of us,” he added.
“This is the moment to start building the team for 2030, a team truly capable of honouring Ghana’s extraordinary World Cup legacy.”
Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus is expected to miss the games after withdrawing from the squad, with Prince Adu Kwabena also expected to miss the game after suffering a head injury over the weekend.
Ghana missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and are targeting a return to the continental tournament next year.
After the two qualifiers, the Black Stars will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.
Queiroz will therefore have three matches to assess his squad as he begins his preparations for both Ghana’s immediate AFCON objective and the longer-term rebuilding of the national team.
