Jordan Ayew sidelined as Ghana faces crucial AFCON qualifiers without captain

Ghana's Black Stars will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign without their captain after Jordan Ayew was ruled out of the squad due to injury. The 35-year-old forward sustained a groin injury during Sheffield United's recent league match against Stoke City and was deemed unfit to continue following medical assessment at the national team's camp.

Ayew arrived at the Black Stars training base on Monday evening but did not recover sufficiently to feature in either of Ghana's opening qualifiers. The national team faces Côte d'Ivoire away on Thursday before hosting Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium next Tuesday in matches that will set the tone for their bid to reach Morocco 2025's successor tournament.

Impact on Ghana's campaign

The absence of Ayew represents a significant loss for Ghana's attacking options at a critical stage of the qualifying tournament. As captain and a senior figure in the squad, his experience and leadership will be missed during these opening fixtures against competitive opponents. The Ivorian match in particular is expected to be a stern test, making the loss of a proven international attacker a considerable blow.

Ghana's coaching staff will need to reorganise their forward line and identify alternative solutions for the two matches. The team's depth in attacking positions will be tested as they seek to establish early momentum in their qualifying group.

Why it matters for Ghana

The 2027 AFCON qualifiers mark the start of Ghana's journey towards the continental championship, and how the Black Stars perform in these opening matches will shape perceptions of their capabilities heading into the tournament proper. Starting without a key player like Ayew could affect confidence, but it also provides an opportunity for alternative players to stake their claim for regular international football.

Ghana has historically performed well in AFCON qualifications, and these matches against Côte d'Ivoire and Gambia are winnable encounters that could boost the team's early qualification prospects. The loss of Ayew, whilst notable, should not derail Ghana's ambitions if the squad demonstrates focus and clinical finishing in his absence.

Ayew's injury also highlights the ongoing challenge of managing player availability across league and international commitments. At 35, the forward's durability remains important to Ghana's plans, and the team will hope the injury proves minor and allows for his swift return to international action once the qualifiers resume.