Ghana add nine as Kudus withdraws before Côte d’Ivoire AFCON opener
Ghana have made a late squad reshuffle before opening their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.
The Ghana Football Association announced nine additions to Carlos Queiroz’s squad after what it described as “medical uncertainties” involving some players.
The new call-ups are Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan, Rockson Yeboah, Rahim Ibrahim, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan.
The changes come with another significant development.
Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from the squad after his recent recall following a lengthy injury absence.
Two days before Ghana face Côte d’Ivoire, Queiroz is therefore preparing with a different group from the one initially selected.
Kudus withdraws after recent recall
Kudus had been one of the most notable names returning to the Ghana squad.
His recall followed a seven-month injury absence and had added attacking weight to Ghana’s preparations for the opening qualifiers.
Now, Queiroz must prepare for the Côte d’Ivoire match without him.
Nathaniel Adjei, Jan Gyamerah and Prince Kwabena Adu are also unavailable.
The situation does not automatically amount to a crisis.
But it does change Ghana’s preparation picture at a sensitive moment.
Nine players come in
The Ghana FA says the additional call-ups followed medical uncertainties affecting the squad.
Four defenders have been added:
- Jonas Adjetey
- Alidu Seidu
- Ebenezer Annan
- Rockson Yeboah
Rahim Ibrahim comes into midfield.
The attacking reinforcements are:
- Brandon Thomas-Asante
- Mohammed Fuseini
- Benjamin Tetteh
- Felix Afena-Gyan
That is a substantial adjustment so close to the first competitive match of the campaign.
The immediate challenge for Queiroz is integration.
Late additions can strengthen depth.
They also leave less time for combinations, tactical familiarity and role definition before kickoff.
Côte d’Ivoire are changing too
Ghana are not the only side entering the match in transition.
Hervé Renard has named eight newcomers in his first Côte d’Ivoire squad since returning as head coach.
Patrick Zabi, Eddy Doué, Amadou Koné, Malick Yalcouyé, Christ Tapé, Kassoum Ouattara, Yann Gboho and Rayan Fofana are among the new faces.
That gives the fixture another layer.
This is not simply Ghana travelling to face a settled Côte d’Ivoire side.
Both teams are beginning fresh cycles with altered squads and new questions to answer.
Bouaké leaves little time for adjustment
Côte d’Ivoire host Ghana on 24 September at 19:00 GMT in Bouaké.
The fixture is one of the headline games of the opening round and brings together two former African champions at the start of Group C.
For Ghana, the timing matters.
Queiroz has to balance availability, familiarity and match readiness after the late changes.
For Côte d’Ivoire, Renard is also beginning to shape a new version of the Elephants.
That means the first competitive test arrives before either side has had much time to settle.
Ghana have to adapt quickly
The strongest message from Ghana’s situation is not panic.
It is adaptation.
The squad has changed.
Kudus is unavailable.
Nine players have been added.
Now the emphasis moves from selection to execution.
Ghana still have to travel to Bouaké and compete.
The late reshuffle explains the pressure.
It does not remove it.
One heavyweight opener, two teams in transition
The Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana fixture was already one of the biggest games of Matchday 1.
The squad developments have added another layer.
Queiroz is reshaping Ghana at short notice.
Renard is beginning another Côte d’Ivoire cycle.
And both sides face an immediate competitive test before their new structures have had time to settle.
Nine reinforcements. One major withdrawal. Bouaké comes next.
