Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew is reportedly set to receive a call-up for Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia in September 2026.

The 34-year-old forward is currently without a club after leaving Leicester City when his contract expired at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Ayew has yet to secure a new club, although reports indicate he is on the brink of joining Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

His potential inclusion is likely to spark debate, particularly because he has not played competitive club football since the end of last season.

Jordan Ayew close to joining Championship club

However, the Black Stars technical team is understood to believe that Ayew’s experience and familiarity with the national team make him sufficiently equipped to help guide the squad through the demanding double-header.

Ghana will face Côte d’Ivoire away on September 24, 2026, before hosting The Gambia five days later in Accra. The matches will mark the beginning of Carlos Queiroz’s new mandate after the Ghana Football Association retained the Portuguese coach following the 2026 World Cup.

Ayew remains an influential figure within the Black Stars setup and captained Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, where the team reached the knockout stage before losing 1-0 to Colombia.

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