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Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo will miss Ghana’s opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia after withdrawing with an injury.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has withdrawn from Ghana’s squad for the Black Stars’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The 26-year-old was initially named in head coach Carlos Queiroz’s squad for the September international window but will remain with Manchester City while he continues treatment for a swollen leg.
Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku confirmed the decision, saying Semenyo spoke directly with Queiroz about his condition before withdrawing from the squad.
Okraku said the forward was willing to travel to Ghana if the national team required further medical assessment, but the priority was to allow him to continue his recovery.
“Antoine and the coach spoke,” Okraku said, explaining that Semenyo’s leg was swollen and required treatment. He questioned the value of bringing the player to Ghana for further tests when he was unlikely to be available for the matches.
Semenyo Comes Off Strong City Performance
The injury concern comes shortly after Semenyo produced one of his strongest performances since joining Manchester City.
He scored twice in City’s 5-3 Premier League victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on September 20.
Semenyo scored in the 43rd and 57th minutes as City survived a high-scoring contest against Sunderland. Erling Haaland later added a fifth goal to secure the victory.
The performance helped Manchester City maintain their perfect Premier League start, with the club winning their opening five league matches of the campaign.
Semenyo’s two goals also underlined his importance to City’s attacking options during the early part of the season.
However, his physical condition after the match became a concern ahead of the international break.
Reports from Ghana initially described the problem as a swollen ankle, while Okraku referred to Semenyo’s leg being swollen and requiring treatment.
Okraku Explains Decision
Okraku said Semenyo had made it clear that he was prepared to travel if Ghana’s medical team needed to examine him.
The GFA president, however, said the circumstances made it more sensible for the player to remain in Manchester and continue his recovery.
According to Okraku, bringing Semenyo to Ghana for an MRI could have resulted in the player being declared unavailable before having to return to Manchester.
The GFA president said the decision was therefore made with the player’s recovery in mind.
The comments also sought to address questions surrounding Semenyo’s withdrawal following his impressive performance for Manchester City just days earlier.
Okraku said the player’s willingness to undergo further assessment if required demonstrated that the withdrawal was connected to his physical condition.
Ghana Face Côte d’Ivoire First
Semenyo’s withdrawal comes as Ghana prepares for a demanding start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24 before hosting The Gambia in Accra later in the international window.
CAF confirmed Ghana’s opening fixtures when Queiroz announced his initial squad for the qualifying campaign.
The GFA has subsequently dealt with several player availability concerns.
Semenyo is among the players unavailable to Queiroz as Ghana begins its qualification campaign, adding to the selection challenges facing the new head coach.
The Black Stars will therefore enter the opening fixtures without one of the attacking players who had been selected for the original squad.
City Await Semenyo’s Recovery
Manchester City will also be monitoring Semenyo’s condition during the international break.
His withdrawal gives the player additional time to receive treatment and recover before the Premier League resumes.
No specific recovery timetable has been announced publicly for Semenyo.
His return to club action will therefore depend on how he responds to treatment and whether the swelling has sufficiently subsided.
The timing is particularly relevant for Manchester City because Semenyo has played an important role during the club’s opening matches of the 2026/27 season.
City’s 5-3 victory over Sunderland left them with five wins from five Premier League matches. Semenyo scored twice in that match, while Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernández and Haaland were also on the scoresheet.
Ghana Makes Late Squad Adjustments
Ghana has already made adjustments to its squad following several injury-related absences.
CAF reported on September 18 that Queiroz had initially selected 24 players for the opening AFCON qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. The squad also included Mohammed Kudus, who had returned after a lengthy injury absence.
Subsequent withdrawals have forced the technical team to consider additional players.
Semenyo’s absence is therefore another change to the squad ahead of competitive matches under Queiroz.
The Black Stars are scheduled to play Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before returning home for their match against The Gambia.
The qualifying fixtures will provide an early competitive test for Queiroz as he works with the Ghana squad.
Focus Now On Recovery
For Semenyo, the immediate priority is recovery from the swollen leg.
His withdrawal means he will not participate in Ghana’s opening AFCON qualifying fixtures, but remaining with Manchester City allows him to continue treatment under his club’s medical arrangements.
The player had entered the international window in strong form after his two-goal performance against Sunderland.
Manchester City will hope the injury does not keep him out for an extended period, while Ghana will have to proceed without him in its opening qualification fixtures.
For now, neither the Ghana Football Association nor Manchester City has announced a specific return date.
The available information indicates that Semenyo’s absence is injury-related and that the decision was made after discussions between the player and Queiroz.
Ghana’s opening qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia will consequently be played without the Manchester City forward, while Semenyo focuses on treatment and recovery.
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