Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their November 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia, with Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo expected to miss both fixtures through injury.
The 26-year-old sustained a knee injury during Manchester City’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium. His expected eight-week absence means the Black Stars will likely be without one of their key attacking players during a crucial stage of their qualifying campaign.
The development comes at a difficult time for Ghana, who are seeking to recover from a disappointing start to their AFCON qualification efforts.
Manchester City Confirm Semenyo’s Eight-Week Absence
Semenyo suffered the injury after coming on as a substitute for Jeremy Doku in the 77th minute against Ipswich Town.
The forward appeared uncomfortable towards the end of the match and was seen hobbling down the tunnel after the final whistle, raising concerns about the seriousness of the problem.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca subsequently provided an update following medical scans.
“The only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine. In the first moment we expected a worse injury. After yesterday’s scan we feel much better because it’s not so big as we expected. It will be eight weeks,” Maresca said.
He added that the priority was ensuring the forward recovered properly before returning to action.
“Now the most important thing is recovery. When he is back in December it will be like a new player. Collateral. It’s not muscle,” the City manager explained.
Although the initial assessment raised concerns, the scan results reportedly indicated that the injury was not as severe as first feared.
Semenyo is expected to return around mid-December, depending on his recovery.
Ghana Face Crucial Somalia Fixtures Without Semenyo
The injury is a significant blow for Ghana as they prepare for a November double-header against Somalia in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The Black Stars have endured a difficult start to their campaign, sitting bottom of Group C with zero points from their opening two matches, according to the supplied report.
Ghana lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a disappointing 4-2 home defeat against The Gambia.
Those results contributed to the departure of former head coach Carlos Queiroz, leaving interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his technical team with the responsibility of reviving the campaign.
The upcoming matches against Somalia are therefore particularly important as Ghana attempt to recover from their early setbacks.
Without Semenyo, the coaching staff will need to identify alternative attacking options capable of providing pace, physicality and a consistent goal threat.
Semenyo’s Absence Adds to Ghana’s Injury Concerns
Semenyo’s unavailability is especially frustrating given his importance to Ghana’s attacking plans.
The Manchester City forward offers versatility across the front line, combining speed, strength and direct attacking movement. His ability to carry the ball forward and challenge defenders makes him a valuable option in matches where Ghana need to create opportunities.
He also missed September’s opening qualifiers because of a swollen leg or ankle issue, meaning the forward has already experienced an interrupted start to the international campaign.
His latest injury will further limit his opportunities to contribute as Ghana attempt to improve their results.
At club level, Semenyo has enjoyed strong form since joining Manchester City, increasing expectations surrounding his role with the national team.
His absence will now place greater responsibility on the other attackers in Ghana’s squad.
Black Stars Must Find Solutions in Attack
Ghana’s coaching staff face an important challenge as they prepare for the Somalia fixtures.
The team must address the defensive and attacking shortcomings exposed in their opening defeats while also managing the absence of one of their most dynamic forwards.
The interim technical team will need to make effective use of the available players and develop an approach capable of producing better results across both matches.
Although Semenyo’s injury is a setback, Ghana will still be expected to approach the double-header with the determination required to revive their qualification hopes.
The results against Somalia could prove important in determining whether the Black Stars can recover from their disappointing opening performances.
When Will Antoine Semenyo Return?
Based on Manchester City’s reported assessment, Semenyo is expected to spend approximately eight weeks on the sidelines, with a potential return around mid-December.
That timeline rules him out of Ghana’s November international fixtures, although his eventual return will depend on his progress during rehabilitation.
Manchester City will prioritise his recovery before bringing him back into competitive action.
For Ghana, the immediate focus must be on navigating the Somalia matches without one of their leading attacking options and securing the results needed to revive their AFCON 2027 campaign.
