Ghana’s bid to rescue the Black Stars’ faltering 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign has suffered a major blow, with Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo ruled out for up to eight weeks after sustaining a knee injury. 

City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the timeline on Monday after scans on the Ghana international, who suffered a knock during last Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town.

“In the first moment we expected an even worse injury, so we were more worried, but after the scan we feel much better,” Maresca said.

“The only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine. It will be eight weeks. Now the most important thing is recovery.”

The prognosis rules Semenyo out of Ghana’s crucial November 11 and 15 double-header against Somalia, leaving interim head coach Kim Lars Björkegren and assistants Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram scrambling for alternatives as they attempt to revive the Black Stars’ qualification hopes.

Semenyo, who came on for Jeremy Doku in the 77th minute against Ipswich before hobbling off at the end, already missed Ghana’s opening qualifiers, which ended in defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

With Ghana bottom of Group C without a point, losing one of the national team’s most dangerous attacking threats further complicates the interim technical team’s rescue mission. The Black Stars are desperate to avoid missing consecutive AFCON tournaments after their absence from the previous edition ended a 20-year run of qualification. 

There is, however, encouragement elsewhere, with other key players who missed the previous qualifiers through injury recovering well. Playmaker Mohammed Kudus has returned to action for Tottenham Hotspur, while skipper Jordan Ayew started for Sheffield United in their Championship victory over Bristol City last Saturday. Defender Mohammed Salisu has also resumed playing for Monaco after a lengthy absence, although his match fitness will require assessment. He played a combined 124 minutes against CSKA Sofia and Lorient in the UEFA Conference League and French Ligue One in the past week.

Somalia, meanwhile, are eager to exploit Ghana’s difficulties. Assistant coach Andre Joao Castro described the Black Stars as “disorganised” and warned: “We go into these two games with the mindset to beat the opponent to make our country proud.”

Ghana have won both previous meetings with Somalia, scoring 5-0 away in November 2003 before a 2-0 home victory three days later in Germany 2006 World Cup qualifying, both played in Ghana.

But history offers little comfort to a side struggling for form. Björkegren’s technical team must now find a way to replace Semenyo’s pace, power and direct attacking threat to secure the much-needed double victory and keep Ghana’s AFCON hopes alive.