Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says beating Ivory Coast is Ghana’s immediate priority as the four-time African champions begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Ghana open Group C with a demanding trip to Bouaké, where they face Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix on 24 September, before returning to the Accra Sports Stadium to host The Gambia three days later.
The Black Stars are seeking a return to the AFCON after missing out on qualification for the 2025 tournament, and Queiroz insists his side cannot afford to look beyond their opening fixture.
“There is always a new challenge. For me, the most important trophy at this moment is the next game, to win the next game,” Queiroz told reporters in Accra on Monday.
“You cannot be on the top roof of Accra without climbing the steps of the building, and the steps for us now are to win the next game.”
Queiroz has also confirmed nine additions to his squad following injury concerns involving Mohammed Kudus and Nathaniel Adjei.
Thomas Partey was not selected because of a hamstring problem.
The new defensive reinforcements are Jonas Adjetey of VfL Wolfsburg, OGC Nice’s Alidu Seidu, Rapid Bucharest left-back Ebenezer Annan and Osasuna defender Rockson Yeboah.
Midfielder Rahim Ibrahim of Slovan Bratislava has also been drafted in, while Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City, Derby County’s Mohammed Fuseini, Kalba forward Benjamin Tetteh and Igdir FK striker Felix Afena-Gyan complete the list of new call-ups.
After the two AFCON qualifiers, Ghana will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.
