Ghana's AFCON 2027Q opener against Ivory Coast expected to be 'difficult' without Kudus
Ghana's opening match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory Coast is expected to be 'difficult' without Mohammed Kudus.
In Brief
- •Ghana's opening match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory Coast is expected to be 'difficult' without Mohammed Kudus.
- •Kudus, Ghana's top scorer at the 2022 World Cup, has not featured for the national team since October 2025 and will miss the opener and subsequent game against The Gambia.
- •Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Ghanaian international, has expressed concerns about the team's performance without Kudus, stating that the absence of an experienced player will be challenging.
- •Ghana will face Ivory Coast on September 24 in Bouaké and then host Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium five days later.
- •The Black Stars will then play Morocco in a friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger on October 4.
Why It Matters
The absence of Mohammed Kudus from Ghana's squad for the AFCON 2027Q qualifiers presents a significant challenge for the Black Stars. Kudus' experience and leadership are crucial for the team's performance, and his absence could impact Ghana's chances of success in the tournament. The upcoming matches against Ivory Coast and Gambia will be crucial in determining Ghana's form and readiness for the competition.
Key Details
- Date of first match
- September 24, 2026
- Location of first match
- Bouaké, Ivory Coast
- Date of second match
- September 29, 2026
- Location of second match
- Accra Sports Stadium, Ghana
- Date of friendly match
- October 4, 2026
- Location of friendly match
- Grand Stade de Tanger, Morocco
Context & Background
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are a series of matches that determine which African nations will qualify for the tournament. The qualifiers are a crucial step in the journey to the AFCON, which is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in Africa.
Original Reporting & Sources
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