Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has withdrawn from the Black Stars squad after a knee problem was confirmed during medical examinations ahead of Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Ayew reported discomfort after joining the national team camp in Accra and subsequently underwent a scan. Reports indicate that the examination revealed a knee injury that is expected to rule him out of Ghana’s upcoming fixtures.
The veteran forward is therefore set to leave camp to begin his recovery, dealing another setback to head coach Carlos Queiroz as the Black Stars prepare for their opening AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana are scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before hosting The Gambia on September 29. The team will also travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.
Ayew had been retained in Queiroz’s squad after captaining Ghana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Ghana Football Association previously confirmed him as the Black Stars’ number nine for the tournament.
His withdrawal comes at a time when Ghana are already managing several player absences ahead of the qualifiers. Recent reports have also highlighted the unavailability of players including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Baba Rahman.
Ayew recently joined Sheffield United after leaving Leicester City and remains one of Ghana’s most experienced international players. He has been a regular figure for the Black Stars for more than a decade.
The extent of Ayew’s recovery timeline has not been publicly established in the reports reviewed, leaving Ghana to prepare for the upcoming fixtures without their captain.
