Ghana will return to Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, looking to revive their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign when they host The Gambia in a crucial Group C encounter.
The Black Stars suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, leaving Carlos Queiroz’s side under pressure to respond immediately on home soil.
The result handed Ghana a difficult start to their qualifying campaign, with the team now needing a positive result against The Gambia to restore confidence and keep their qualification ambitions on course.
Ghana missed the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament and are determined to avoid another absence from the continental showpiece.
The upcoming fixture therefore carries considerable importance for a side seeking to re-establish itself among Africa’s leading national teams.
Queiroz believes his players are ready for the challenge and has called on supporters to create an atmosphere that will help the team rather than dwelling on those who are unavailable.
“If we’re not prepared, the God of football always punishes. Always punishes,” Queiroz said, underlining the importance of preparation as Ghana seek to recover from their defeat in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Portuguese coach delivered a firm message ahead of Tuesday’s encounter during his pre-match presser, insisting that the players selected for the match should receive the full backing of the fans.
“If you come tomorrow to cry for the ones that are not here, or to say sorry for the ones that are not here, my message is to stay home.”
Carlos Queiroz, Black Stars head coach
The Black Stars will, however, be without defender Alexander Djiku, who has been ruled out after sustaining an injury during Thursday’s defeat upon his return to the national team set up after missing the FIFA World Cup in the summer.
The Spartak Moscow defender captained Ghana in Bouaké but was forced off in the 71st minute after picking up the injury.
Djiku has since returned to his club for further assessment and will miss the meeting with The Gambia, creating another selection issue for Queiroz as he reshapes his defence for the home fixture
Queiroz Demands Focus On Available Players
The coach, however, does not want the absence of key players to become a distraction. Instead, he has urged supporters to focus their energy on those who have been called upon to represent the country.
“Come to support the players that are here to play for Black Stars,” Queiroz told reporters at the press room at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday.
Queiroz’s comments reflect his desire for a united environment around the national team as Ghana attempt to respond to their opening defeat.
With the qualification campaign still in its early stages, the Black Stars have an opportunity to put the setback behind them with a strong performance against The Gambia.
Black Stars Face Pressure To Respond
The fixture also represents Ghana’s first opportunity to play in front of their home supporters in the current qualifying campaign. The backing from the stands could be significant as the players look to recover from the disappointment in Bouaké.
Queiroz stressed that while every player remains important, those available for Tuesday’s match must be the focus. “Everybody is important but the most important players that we have in this moment to deliver for Black Stars are the ones that are here,” he added.
Ghana will therefore enter the game knowing that anything short of a strong response would increase the pressure surrounding their qualification campaign once again after failing to win any of qualifiers for the last edition.
The Black Stars need to turn their home advantage into a positive result and begin building momentum towards securing a place at the 2027 AFCON.
Kick-off at the Accra Sports Stadium is scheduled for 4:00pm on Tuesday, with Ghana hoping to give their supporters something to celebrate after a difficult opening night in Côte d’Ivoire.
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