Black Stars miss key defender Djiku ahead of AFCON qualifier against Gambia
Alexander Djiku ruled out of the 2026‑09‑29 AFCON qualifier after injury in the opening match against Côte d’Ivoire
In Brief
- •Alexander Djiku ruled out of the 2026‑09‑29 AFCON qualifier after injury in the opening match against Côte d’Ivoire
- •Ghana will face The Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium at 4 pm local time, with the Gambia holding a 2‑1 win over Somalia
- •Coach Carlos Queiroz must reshuffle the defence, with options like Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku and Gideon Mensah
- •Other Ghana absentees include captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo
- •The match is critical for Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualification campaign after a disappointing start
Why It Matters
The absence of experienced defender Alexander Djiku underscores the injury crisis that has plagued Ghana’s national team, threatening their chances of securing a spot in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. A loss to the Gambia would further dent the squad’s confidence and could increase pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz to find a stable defensive line-up. The game’s outcome will also influence the group standings, as Ghana competes with Côte d’Ivoire and Somalia for qualification spots.
Key Details
- Key defender absent
- Alexander Djiku
- Match venue
- Accra Sports Stadium
- Opponent
- The Gambia
- Match date/time
- 2026-09-29 16:00 local
- Gambia recent result
- 2-1 win over Somalia
- Ghana missing players
- Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo
Context & Background
Ghana’s national team has struggled with injuries, missing several key players—including Djiku, Ayew, Kudus, and Semenyo—since the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, affecting their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign.
Original Reporting & Sources
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