It Will Take a Miracle — Kingston Warns Black Stars Over 2027 AFCON Hopes

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston says it will take a miracle for the Black Stars to make it the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Black Stars are yet to win any of their opening two games in the 2027 qualifiers, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their group opener in Bouake before succumbing to a 4-2 home defeat to Gambia.

The results have left Ghana at the bottom of Group C with no points ahead of their double-header against Somalia in November.

Ghana is yet to win an AFCON qualifying game since September 2023, with the team’s last campaign in the qualifiers (in 2024) ending on a winless run after three draws and three defeats.

Assessing Ghana’s performances and chances of making the 2027 AFCON, Laryea Kingston was candid.

“Looking at the situation now, it will be a miracle for us to qualify,” he told 3Sports.

“Two teams have six points; it means Ghana will have to win all games. For me, it will be very difficult and it will take a miracle to turn things around.”

The Black Stars’ recent performances at the continental showpiece have been subpar, with the team failing to qualify for the AFCON in 2025, marking Ghana’s first absence at the competition since 2004.

At the 2019 edition in Egypt, the Stars made a round 16 exit after subsequent group stages in the 2021 and 2023 editions held in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.

However, Ghana will have Kim Lars, Godwin Attram, and Ibrahim Tanko as interim coaches for the double-header against Somalia following the exit of Carlos Queiroz.