Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has urged fans to remain positive and support the Black Stars as they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
Ghana, four-time African champions, face Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group C qualifier in Bouaké on Thursday before hosting The Gambia in Accra three days later.
Carlos Queiroz’s side will, however, be without several key players after Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Baba Rahman, Alidu Seidu, Nathaniel Adjei and Prince Kwabena Adu withdrew from the squad because of injuries and personal reasons.
Despite the absences, Okraku has called on supporters to back the team ahead of the two qualifiers.
“We should be positive about the team and support the team ahead of the games. It is not easy for the players, but they are always committed to the course of Ghana, and so what we need to do is to support the team and not to say things that are not factual,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
Queiroz has responded to the withdrawals by making several late additions to his squad.
Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan and Jonas Adjetey have been called up, while Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim have received their first invitations to the senior national team.
Ghana will face Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké before returning home to take on The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the hosts in Tangier on 4 October as Queiroz continues preparations for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.
