A Ghanaian outlet has identified five footballers it believes are deserving of a call-up to the national team as the Black Stars prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The players highlighted include Augustine Boakye, Rahim Ibrahim, Joseph Opoku, Nathaniel Adjei, and Prince Osei-Owusu.
The selection of the squad for the upcoming qualifying matches will be made by Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz. The outlet suggests that alongside established players, several Ghanaian footballers currently playing abroad have demonstrated form that warrants consideration for a national team call-up.
Queiroz’s Role and Coaching Legacy
Carlos Queiroz recently took charge of the Black Stars, becoming the second Portuguese coach to lead Ghana‘s senior national team. He follows in the footsteps of Mariano Barreto, who managed the team in 2004. Queiroz’s appointment concluded a period of uncertainty regarding his future, as the Ghana Football Association awaited approval from the Ministry of Sports.
Historically, Ghana has often favoured European coaches, but Portuguese nationals have been rare choices for the Black Stars job. Germany, for instance, has provided more coaches to the national team than any other European country. Karl-Heinz Marotzke was the first German coach, serving from 1968 to 1970, followed by Karl-Heinz Weigang between 1974 and 1975.
Other German coaches include Rudi Gutendorf, who was appointed between 1986 and 1987, replacing Herbert Addo. Bukhard Ziese then took over from Fred Osam-Duodu and served from 1990 to 1992 before handing the reins to fellow German Otto Pfister in 1993.
After a period without German coaches, Ghana appointed coaches from various other nationalities, such as Denmark’s Jorgen Larsen, Romania’s Petre Gavrila, Brazil’s Ishmael Kurtz, Netherlands’ Rinus Israël, Italy’s Giuseppe Dossena, and Yugoslavia’s Milan Zivadinovic. Ziese returned to the Black Stars in 2003 before eventually being succeeded by fellow German Ralf Zumdick, who served as caretaker coach and was the last German to manage the national team.
Serbia has also contributed significantly to Ghana‘s coaching history, with Ratomir Dujkovic leading the Black Stars from 2004 to 2006. He was followed by Milovan Rajevac from 2008 to 2010 and Goran Stevanovic from 2011 to 2012. Brazil has also provided three coaches for the Black Stars: Carlos Alberto Parreira in 1967, Oswaldo Carlos Sampaio in 1977-78, and Ismael Kurtz in 1996.
Queiroz‘s appointment marks him as the 40th coach to manage the Black Stars since England’s George Ainsley became the first foreign coach in 1958-59. The confirmation of the 73-year-old Portuguese coach has been well-received by many Ghanaians, who anticipate he will lead the team effectively, especially following his performance at the World Cup. Queiroz is now tasked with building upon previous progress and developing a Black Stars side capable of consistent high-level competition.
His experience, tactical discipline, and familiarity with the national team are expected to be vital as Ghana aims to establish a clearer identity and regain its competitive standing among Africa’s prominent football nations.
Player Performances and Upcoming Matches
The five players highlighted by the Ghanaian outlet have shown notable performances in their respective leagues:
- Augustine Boakye: The forward has scored three goals and provided two assists in five Ligue 2 matches for Saint-Étienne at the start of the 2026/27 season, playing 377 minutes. He was part of Ghana’s squad at the 2026 World Cup but has not yet made his senior debut for the national team.
- Rahim Ibrahim: The 25-year-old midfielder for Slovan has played four matches this season, starting twice and scoring two goals in 151 minutes. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut in Slovan‘s match against Paris Saint-Germain. He is seen as a potential option in central midfield, particularly in the absence of Thomas Partey.
- Joseph Opoku: The 20-year-old winger has scored two goals in six Championship matches since joining Swansea City, accumulating 343 minutes. In the previous season with Belgian club Zulte Waregem, he scored three goals and provided seven assists in 26 appearances, contributing to the club’s promotion.
- Nathaniel Adjei: The 24-year-old defender for Lorient has played two Ligue 1 matches this season. He recorded seven aerial duels won, made four tackles, and maintained a duel success rate of 87%.
- Prince Osei-Owusu: The 29-year-old forward has scored 13 goals and provided six assists in 22 MLS matches, playing 1,792 minutes. He stands at 1.91 metres tall.
Ghana is scheduled to commence their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with an away match against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24. They will then host Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. Ghana did not participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Source: ua.news
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