{
  "id": 9308217,
  "title": "2027 AFCONQ: I am confident about Black Stars’ chances despite withdrawals – Kurt Okraku",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/2027-afconq-i-am-confident-about-black-stars-chances-despite",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T09:46:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/2027-afconq-i-am-confident-about-black-stars-chances-despite-withdrawals-kurt-okraku/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku remains optimistic about the Black Stars' prospects in the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, despite a string of high-profile withdrawals. The Ghanaian champions, who have gathered for the first time since their 2026 World Cup duties, are set to face Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in their opening Group C qualifiers. However, the squad's strength has been compromised by the absence of notable players such as captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Prince Kwabena Adu, Alidu Seidu and Nathaniel Adjei. Despite these challenges, Okraku expressed confidence in the remaining players, urging Ghanaians to support the team. \"I am positive about the players that the coach has assembled. They are very good players, very dedicated, and what we have to do is support these players,\" Okraku stated on Asempa FM's Ultimate Sports Show. While acknowledging the limited preparation time, Okraku stressed the importance of unity in Ghana's quest to return to the continental tournament after missing the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. \"The players have had two days of training sessions, which is not good, but the players have trained and at this point what we have to do as a country is support the team and ensure we qualify for the AFCON, where we belong,\" he added. The Black Stars kick off their qualifying campaign away to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 27. They will conclude the month with a friendly match against Morocco in Tangier on October 4, as Queiroz finalizes preparations for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.",
  "summary": "Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku says he remains confident the Black Stars can make a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign despite a series of high-profile withdrawals. The four-time African champions have assembled for the first time since their 2026 World Cup campaign as they prepare to face Côte […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ghana Business News",
        "title": "Black Stars face Ivorian test as injuries force major squad changes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/black-stars-face-ivorian-test-as-injuries-force-major-squad-changes",
        "published": "2026-09-23T05:37:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Black Stars face Ivorian test as injuries force major squad changes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/black-stars-face-ivorian-test-as-injuries-force-major-squad-changes-9293266",
        "published": "2026-09-23T06:33:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "2027 AFCONQ: No player deliberately withdrew from Black Stars squad – Kurt Okraku",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/2027-afconq-no-player-deliberately-withdrew-from-black-stars-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-23T10:17:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}