We must build team around a core despite injury crisis - Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz

Carlos Queiroz has admitted Ghana face a difficult start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with injuries and late withdrawals disrupting his plans for the Black Stars.

“When I started this journey, at the beginning I looked at my paper and I had 12 players out of the potential call-ups immediately. This is not a good starting point. One day before you start camp for Ivory Coast, you lose eight players,” Queiroz said.

The Portuguese coach said the constant changes have forced him to look beyond individual absences and focus on establishing a dependable core for the national team.

“We have to find one way to build the team around the core, the core of players that sustain the team,” he added.

Ghana have made several changes to the squad ahead of Thursday’s clash with Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké, with Mohammed Kudus and injured Prince Kwabena Adu withdrawing after initially being called up, while Thomas Partey was not included because of his hamstring problems.

Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei has also withdrawn through injury, while Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini and Rahim Ibrahim have been brought into the squad at different stages.

Wolfsburg defender Jonas Adjetey has also received a late call-up, according to his club.

Queiroz will therefore have to work with a squad that has undergone significant changes as Ghana prepare for a challenging opening qualifier away from home.

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