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Carlos Queiroz calls for support ahead of Ghana’s Gambia clash

Ghana lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast.
Ghana lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast.Issouf SANOGO / AFP / AFP / Profimedia

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has called on supporters to back the Black Stars as they look to respond to their opening defeat in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against The Gambia on Tuesday.

The Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouake last Thursday, with Malick Yalcouye and Franck Kessie scoring for the hosts.

Queiroz believes Ghana can learn from the defeat and has used the days since the match to address areas that need improvement ahead of the Group C encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium.

“My view about the football matches. We always win or learn and we learned something in that game against Ivory Coast and that's why we focus in some aspects of preparations,” Queiroz said.

“The boys are ready with a lot of motivation. My message to the fans is one of confidence, trust, and your support.

“We cannot hide the reality, we are facing a couple of challenges, a couple of problems but Black Stars is not a problem.

“Black Stars was never a problem, Black Stars is not a problem and Black Stars will never be a problem in the future.”

Queiroz confirms two players out

Ghana will have to cope without Alexander Djiku and Ronald Donkor for Tuesday’s match.

Djiku, who captained Ghana against Ivory Coast, was forced off during the defeat after picking up an injury. He has subsequently been ruled out of the game against The Gambia after failing to recover in time.

Donkor, meanwhile, will also miss the fixture through injury. The New York Red Bulls midfielder was handed his first senior call-up by Queiroz for the September international window after impressing in Major League Soccer.

Despite the absences, Queiroz says 22 players are fit and available for the crucial qualifier and urged supporters to get behind those selected.

“We have 22 players ready for tomorrow. Those are the most important players of Black Stars. Come here to support them,” he added.

2027 AFCON Qualifiers Group C standings
2027 AFCON Qualifiers Group C standingsFlashscore

Ghana are seeking their first points of the qualifying campaign after losing their opening Group C fixture in Ivory Coast.

The Gambia, meanwhile, will be looking to make it two wins out of two after narrowly beating Somalia on matchday one.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29th at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off at 4:00pm Ghana time.

Ghana will then round off the international window with a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on October 4th.

Owuraku Ampofo
Owuraku AmpofoFlashscore
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