Antoine Semenyo pulls out of Black Stars squad for AFCON qualifiers

Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo has pulled out of the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Reports indicate that he has requested to step back this September/October to focus on recovering from a nagging ankle injury.

This withdrawal is a setback for head coach Carlos Queiroz, who is already missing key players like Tottenham’s Kudus Mohammed, also sidelined with injuries.

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On a positive note, Semenyo recently had a standout performance, scoring twice in Manchester City’s 5-3 victory over Sunderland.

Ghana’s pursuit of AFCON qualification has faced challenges with multiple key player withdrawals, but the team has called up nine replacements.

The Black Stars are set to face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24 and host The Gambia in Accra on September 29, 2026, before an international friendly against Morocco on October 4. The aim is to secure strong results in both qualifiers to solidify their chances of qualification.