Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to be sidelined for about eight weeks after suffering a knee injury during Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Town.
The 26-year-old is facing an extended period out of action after medical assessments, with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca suggesting the initial fears surrounding the injury were more serious than first thought.
Semenyo is now aiming to return in December, although that is a target rather than a confirmed date. His absence could affect both Manchester City and Ghana during a demanding period of club and international football.
The winger was introduced as a 77th-minute substitute for Jeremy Doku against Ipswich Town but appeared to be in significant discomfort before going directly down the tunnel at full time.
Scans later indicated that he could be unavailable for up to two months, ruling him out of a substantial number of fixtures.
Semenyo has made an encouraging start since moving to Manchester City from Bournemouth, scoring two goals and providing three assists in nine appearances across all competitions. His absence leaves City without one of their attacking options as they compete in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and EFL Cup.
He is expected to miss the Champions League fixture against AEK Athens on 20 October, the Premier League visit to Aston Villa on 24 October and the EFL Cup round-of-16 tie against Brighton on 28 October.
Further league games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Arsenal are also likely to come during his recovery period. Manchester City’s Champions League matches against RB Leipzig and Napoli are among the other fixtures he could miss.
The club’s schedule extends into December, with league meetings against Leeds United and Brentford, as well as a European match against Barcelona, also potentially falling within the period of his rehabilitation.
The exact date of Semenyo’s comeback will depend on his progress and there is no guarantee he will be fit by December.
Ghana concern ahead of November qualifiers
Semenyo’s injury is also a setback for Ghana before the Black Stars’ next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying assignments.
Ghana are bottom of Group C in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign and face a crucial double-header during the November international window, which runs from 10-18 November.
That period falls within the expected recovery time from the forward’s ankle injury, meaning Ghana must prepare for the qualifiers without relying on his availability.
Semenyo’s pace and attacking influence have made him an important member of the national team. His possible absence would leave the technical team considering alternative attacking options at a time when results are particularly important to Ghana’s hopes of reaching the continental tournament.
Both Manchester City and Ghana will monitor his rehabilitation, with his recovery determining when he can return to competitive football.
