Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has withdrawn from the Ghana Black Stars squad for the September-October 2026 international window so he can recover from a swollen ankle that has been causing him discomfort. The decision was confirmed on 22 September, only two days before Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire, and means the 26-year-old will miss the away match in Bouaké on 24 September, the home fixture against The Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September, and a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on 4 October.
Semenyo had been included in Carlos Queiroz’s original 24-man squad but asked the technical team to excuse him in order to manage the injury properly rather than risk a longer absence.
The timing is notable because Semenyo had just produced one of his strongest displays since joining Manchester City from Bournemouth in January. He scored twice and added an assist in a 5-3 Premier League win over Sunderland that helped lift City to the top of the table. That form had made him one of the more reliable attacking options available to Queiroz as Ghana began its qualifying campaign after failing to reach the previous Africa Cup of Nations.
His withdrawal now sits alongside those of Mohammed Kudus, who also opted out to protect his recovery after a lengthy injury layoff at Tottenham, and Nathaniel Adjei, who suffered a hamstring problem. The cluster of absences forced the coaching staff to call up nine additional players at short notice while the squad continued training in Accra ahead of the trip to Ivory Coast.
Queiroz has treated similar cases as questions of player welfare and coordination with clubs rather than disputes. After Kudus played more than 70 minutes for Tottenham, both player and coach concluded that protecting the recovery process was the safer course, and the same logic applies to Semenyo’s ankle issue.
The forward has previously sat out international duty to address physical concerns after heavy club minutes, a pattern familiar among Premier League-based African players. Ghana must therefore open Group C without several established attackers against a Côte d’Ivoire side expected to provide one of the sterner tests in the section.
The remaining forwards and late call-ups will carry greater responsibility as the Black Stars attempt to start the qualifying journey with a result that would ease pressure after recent tournament disappointment. Semenyo returns to Manchester City to continue treatment so he can remain available once domestic football resumes.