Two big absences, one big test: Ghana head to Bouaké without Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey

Ghana’s preparations for the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign have been dealt a major setback with Mohammed Kudus withdrawing from the squad, leaving the Black Stars without two of their most influential players for Thursday’s meeting with Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.

Kudus was initially named in Carlos Queiroz’s 24-man squad after making his return to the national team following a seven-month injury layoff that ruled him out of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

However, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker has now withdrawn as he prioritises completing his recovery. His decision comes just days after he made his first start for Tottenham since returning from injury in the Carabao Cup and subsequently came off the bench to register an assist against Aston Villa.

For Ghana, it means another wait for one of the team's most creative and unpredictable attacking players.

Kudus has often been the player Ghana turn to when they need individual quality to unlock a defence. His ability to carry the ball, beat defenders and create opportunities would have been particularly valuable against an Ivorian side playing at home.

Then there is Thomas Partey.

Unlike Kudus, Partey was never included in Queiroz’s squad. The experienced midfielder has been dealing with a hamstring problem and, although he recently returned to training with Al Shabab, he was not considered ready for this international window.

The absence of Partey removes another layer of experience from a Ghana midfield that will have to cope with the physical demands of an away qualifier in Bouaké.

For years, Partey has provided Ghana with a combination of defensive protection, ball retention and experience in the middle of the pitch. His ability to dictate the tempo and help the team play through pressure will be missed.

Queiroz now has to find a different formula.

Kwasi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Ibrahim Sulemana, Augustine Boakye and Ronald Donkor are among the midfield options available to the Portuguese coach. Yirenkyi and Donkor, in particular, represent part of the younger generation Queiroz is introducing into the team, with Donkor receiving his first senior call-up after impressing for New York Red Bulls.

The attacking responsibility will also increase on players such as Antoine Semenyo, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ibrahim Osman and Jordan Ayew.

Semenyo arrives in camp after making a strong start to the season with Manchester City, while Fatawu has become an important attacking option for Ipswich Town. Jordan Ayew, meanwhile, brings experience and leadership to a squad undergoing another transition.

There is also the return of Alexander Djiku, Nathaniel Adjei and Ibrahim Sulemana, giving Queiroz additional options in defence and midfield.

But replacing Kudus and Partey is not simply about finding two players to fill two positions.

It is about replacing their influence.

Ghana will travel to Bouaké knowing that Côte d’Ivoire will have home advantage and that the opening qualifier comes at the beginning of a new cycle under Queiroz. The Black Stars will also be looking to make a strong start after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.

For Queiroz, the situation presents both a problem and an opportunity.

The problem is that Ghana's two biggest names in midfield and attack are unavailable.

The opportunity is for the players who have been given a chance to demonstrate that the Black Stars can develop a team capable of competing without relying heavily on their established stars.

Bouaké could therefore become an early test of Queiroz’s ability to build a team with greater depth and different solutions.

Ghana will need creativity without Kudus, control without Partey and, above all, a collective response to the absence of two players who have carried significant responsibility for the national team in recent years.

The Black Stars face Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 in their opening Group C qualifier before hosting The Gambia in Accra on September 29.

In Bouaké, the question will be simple: who steps up when Ghana no longer has Kudus and Partey to call on?

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