Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Iddie Adams says Ghana remains capable of making a strong start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign despite the absence of several key players.
The Black Stars are set to open their Group C campaign against Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké today, Thursday, before returning to Ghana to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz has been forced to make several adjustments to his squad following injuries and late withdrawals involving some established members of the team.
Despite the changes, Kofi Adams believes the players available have enough quality, commitment and determination to compete effectively in both matches.
He says Ghana’s target should be to avoid defeat in Bouaké and follow it up with maximum points against The Gambia in Accra.
“We are hoping that on the 24th of this month, when we go to Bouaké, we are either drawing or getting all three points, and against The Gambia on the 29th to get all three points,” Adams told Max TV.
The Black Stars will be hoping to put their disappointing 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign behind them after failing to secure a place at the tournament in Morocco.
Ghana finished at the bottom of their qualifying group, resulting in the country’s first absence from the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004.
The situation has placed additional importance on the current qualification campaign, with Ghana determined to return to the continental tournament.
Queiroz has had to reshuffle his squad ahead of the opening fixtures, with a number of experienced players unavailable because of injuries, while others have withdrawn for different reasons.
The Portuguese coach has consequently turned to other members of the squad and made late additions to strengthen his options.
The immediate challenge for Ghana will be the trip to Bouaké, where they face a Côte d’Ivoire side that will have home support behind them.
The Black Stars will then have the opportunity to respond at home when they welcome The Gambia to the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
Adams’ comments reflect the expectation that Ghana should approach both matches with the ambition of collecting valuable points at the beginning of the campaign.
A positive result in Côte d’Ivoire would give Ghana an important foundation before the home encounter, while a victory against The Gambia would further strengthen the team’s position in Group C.
The international window will also provide Queiroz with additional time to assess his squad and develop his tactical plans.
After the two AFCON qualifiers, Ghana are scheduled to face Morocco in an international friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger on October 4.
The match will give Queiroz another opportunity to assess players and continue building the team ahead of the remaining fixtures in the qualification campaign.
For now, however, the focus remains on the opening two Group C matches as Ghana begin their attempt to secure a return to the Africa Cup of Nations.
