Nathaniel Adjei withdraws from Black Stars squad with hamstring injury

‎By: Godbless Asaana
‎Ghana defender Nathaniel Adjei has withdrawn from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after suffering a hamstring injury while on club duty with Lorient.
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‎The 23-year-old sustained the injury during Lorient’s 2-1 defeat to Le Mans in the French top flight on Saturday, September 20, 2026. Adjei started the game at the Stade Marie-Marvingt but was substituted in the 75th minute.
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‎Following medical assessment, the centre-back is expected to spend two to three weeks on the sidelines, ruling him out of Ghana’s upcoming international fixtures.
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‎Adjei’s withdrawal comes shortly after he earned a recall to the Black Stars following more than a year away from the national team.
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‎He made his senior international debut for Ghana on November 18, 2024, against Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. However, his debut was cut short after 39 minutes when he suffered an ankle injury.
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‎The injury required surgery in December 2024 and kept him out of action for an extended period. After returning to full fitness, Adjei re-established himself at club level with a string of strong performances for Lorient, prompting Carlos Queiroz to include him in Ghana’s 24-man squad for the September-October international window.
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‎His latest setback means he will miss Ghana’s opening 2027 AFCON qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24.
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‎The Black Stars will then host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, before travelling to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, October 4.
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‎Adjei’s absence leaves Queiroz with another defensive selection concern as Ghana begins its campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
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‎The defender will now focus on his recovery, with a return expected within the projected two-to-three-week period.