Black Stars blow as Alexander Djiku ruled out of Gambia clash

[caption id="attachment_1324099" align="alignnone" width="612"] Stuttgart, Germany - March 30: Alexander Djiku of Ghana looks dejected during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)[/caption]Black Stars defender Alexander Djiku will miss Ghana's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia on Tuesday after failing to recover from an injury sustained against Cote dIvoire.Djiku was forced off during Ghana's 2-0 defeat to Cote dIvoire in Bouak on Thursday and had hoped to recover in time for the second Group C fixture.The defender had indicated that he would do everything possible to be fit for Tuesday's game, but he has now been ruled out.Djiku's absence is another setback for Carlos Queiroz, who will have to make changes to his defence as Ghana look to bounce back from their opening-day defeat.The experienced defender also missed Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign because of injury and had only recently returned to the Black Stars setup.Ghana will host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday as they look to secure their first points of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.