Mohammed Kudus has been included in a 24-man Ghana Black Stars squad named by head coach Carlos Queiroz for the team’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The squad will also feature in an international friendly against Morocco as Ghana begins preparations for its AFCON 2027 campaign and looks ahead to the next FIFA World Cup cycle.
Mohammed Kudus Returns to Black Stars Squad
Kudus makes his return to the Ghana national team after missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has recovered from the injury that kept him out of action for approximately seven months and is now back in contention for the Black Stars.
His return provides Ghana with an important attacking option as Carlos Queiroz begins his work with the national team.
Nathaniel Adjei Returns
France-based defender Nathaniel Adjei has also been recalled to the Black Stars after almost a year away from international football.
Adjei’s return follows his strong performances for Lorient in the French Ligue 1, where his club form has earned him another opportunity with the Ghana national team.
Ibrahim Osman of Brighton and Hove Albion and Sassuolo midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana have also returned to the squad.
Two Players Receive First Ghana Call-Ups
Carlos Queiroz has handed first international call-ups to Jan Gyamerah of SV Elversberg and Ronald Donkor of New York Red Bulls.
Gyamerah, who plays as a right-back, has made four appearances for SV Elversberg during the 2026/27 Bundesliga 2 season.
The defender has previously featured for Kaiserslautern, Nürnberg, Hamburger SV and VfL Bochum.
Meanwhile, Donkor earns his first Black Stars invitation after impressing with New York Red Bulls.
The youngster began his football career at the JMG Football Academy in Mali before playing for Guidars FC. He joined New York Red Bulls in May 2023.
Both new additions are expected to arrive in Ghana in the coming days to join the rest of the Black Stars squad.
Ghana Goalkeepers Retain Their Places
Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare has retained his place in the Ghana squad alongside Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Anang.
The 24-man team also includes several players who were part of Ghana’s recent FIFA World Cup campaign.
Carlos Queiroz Sets AFCON Qualification as Priority
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has identified qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as Ghana’s immediate objective while simultaneously beginning preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Queiroz said the team must concentrate on the present while building a squad capable of competing at the highest level in the future.
The Portuguese coach also stressed the need for Ghana to remain ambitious while maintaining humility, noting that the Black Stars must first secure qualification for AFCON 2027 before discussing the possibility of winning the tournament.
Queiroz Explains Black Stars Squad Selection
The Ghana coach said the technical team conducted detailed monitoring of players before finalising the 24-man squad.
According to Queiroz, players are generally expected to be active for their clubs, physically prepared and ready to compete for the national team.
He explained that the technical team also considered players’ recent activity levels and periods of inactivity when making the selection.
Queiroz added that Ghana’s recent World Cup experience provided the technical team with a deeper understanding of the players, their abilities and their character.
Ghana’s Upcoming AFCON 2027 Fixtures
The Black Stars of Ghana will begin their upcoming schedule with an away fixture against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Ghana will then return home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The Black Stars will subsequently travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The three matches will provide Carlos Queiroz with opportunities to assess his squad as Ghana works towards AFCON 2027 qualification and begins preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
Queiroz has emphasised that every training session and competitive match must contribute to the long-term development of the Ghana national team.
The Black Stars coach says Ghana must work harder and improve continuously if the team is to compete successfully against the best national teams in international football.
Source: newsthemegh.com