{
  "id": 10696106,
  "title": "AFCON 2027Q: ‘We don’t need to cry over spilled milk’ – Damba on Ghana injury concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/afcon-2027q-we-dont-need-to-cry-over-spilled-milk-damba-on-ghana",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T12:57:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/afcon-2027q-we-dont-need-to-cry-over-spilled-milk-damba-on-ghana-injury-concerns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Ghana goalkeeper Abukari Damba has urged the national team not to dwell on the absence of key players ahead of their crucial AFCON qualifier against Gambia. Several high-profile Ghanaian players, including captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus, are sidelined due to injury, leaving the squad with a number of debutants and experienced newcomers.\n\nDamba told Graphic Sports, \"We don’t need to cry over spilled milk. We have good replacements, and this is an opportunity for them to be counted. They need to show up.\" During a pre-match press conference, Ghana's head coach Carlos Queiroz echoed Damba's sentiments, asking fans to support the available players rather than complain about those who are not starting the match.\n\nGambia arrived in the tournament following a win over Somalia, while Ghana are aiming to bounce back from their opening loss to Ivory Coast in Bouaké. The match between the two teams is scheduled to take place on September 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with a 4:00pm kick-off.",
  "summary": "Ghana's squad has undergone significant changes following the withdrawal of several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Alidu Seidu, Baba Rahman, Nathaniel Adjei and Prince Kwabena Adu due to injuries.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "Egypt, Senegal and Ghana face pressure to relaunch drive for 2027 AFCON",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/egypt-senegal-and-ghana-face-pressure-to-relaunch-drive-for-2027-afcon",
        "published": "2026-09-29T09:39:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "AFCON Qualifiers: Administrator of Ghana Sports Fund urges Ghanaians to cheer on the Black Stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/afcon-qualifiers-administrator-of-ghana-sports-fund-urges-ghanaians",
        "published": "2026-09-29T13:27:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}