Ghana’s Black Stars will look to put their opening-day disappointment behind them when they host The Gambia in their second Group C fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29.
Carlos Queiroz’s side began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, leaving Ghana without a point ahead of their first home assignment. Goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié condemned the Black Stars to a difficult start.
The result makes Tuesday’s encounter an important opportunity for Ghana to open their points account and regain momentum in Group C, which also includes Somalia.
Queiroz will again have to work with a reshaped squad after several established players became unavailable. Mohammed Kudus withdrew as he continues his recovery following a lengthy injury lay-off, while Antoine Semenyo and other players have also been affected by injuries.
The coach subsequently added nine players to his squad, including Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan, Rockson Yeboah, Rahim Ibrahim, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan.
Ghana will need to produce greater attacking efficiency after struggling to turn possession and opportunities into goals in Bouaké. Queiroz is expected to demand a more assertive display from his players, particularly in the final third, as they seek to make home advantage count.
The Gambia will also arrive in Accra with points in mind. The Scorpions are scheduled to begin their qualifying campaign against Somalia later this evening before travelling to Ghana, giving their clash with the Black Stars added significance.
The fixture also comes against the backdrop of continued corporate support for Ghana’s national teams. MTN Ghana is the headline sponsor of the Black Stars, Black Queens, Black Satellites and Black Starlets under a US$2 million, two-year partnership with the Ghana Football Association running until August 2027. The agreement is designed to support preparation and development across the four national teams.
With the campaign now underway, Ghana will be seeking to repay that support with a strong response on the pitch.
The Black Stars host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. GMT.