Ghana seek redemption against Somalia as AFCON 2027 hopes face crucial test

Ghana will look to put their disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign behind them when they take on Somalia in a crucial Group C encounter at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi today.

Black Stars players in a battle for the ball in the training session

The Black Stars head into the encounter knowing that another disappointing result could further damage their chances of returning to the continental showpiece after missing the 2025 edition in Morocco.

With four matches remaining in the qualifying campaign, Ghana have little room for error following consecutive defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving them bottom of the group without a point.

Their opponents, Somalia, are in a similar position after also losing their opening two matches, setting up an encounter between two sides desperate to revive their qualification ambitions.

Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening fixture before enduring a painful 4-2 home loss to The Gambia, despite taking a two-goal lead through Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan.

The collapse against The Gambia exposed serious defensive weaknesses and raised questions about the team’s ability to manage matches, particularly after establishing a promising advantage.

Mohammed Kudus

Those results eventually contributed to the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, with the Ghana Football Association appointing an interim technical team led by Swedish tactician Kim Lars Björkegren for the November fixtures.

Björkegren, who previously coached the Black Queens, will work alongside former Ghana international Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, with former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda serving as goalkeepers’ coach.

The new technical team faces an immediate challenge of restoring confidence, improving defensive organisation and getting the best out of a squad that possesses considerable individual quality but has struggled to produce consistent performances.

However, Ghana has received a significant boost ahead of the encounter with the return of several experienced players.

Etse Dogli and Skipper Jodam Ayew in a fierce struggle for the ball

Captain Jordan Ayew is back after recovering from a groin injury that ruled him out of the previous qualifiers, while Mohammed Kudus also returns following an extended absence from the national team.

The return of the two attacking players provides Ghana with additional creativity, experience and attacking threat as they seek to improve their productivity in the final third.

Midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has also earned a recall after four years away from the national team, while defenders Mohammed Salisu and Alidu Seidu return to strengthen a backline that has conceded six goals in two matches.

The availability of Thomas Partey, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah and Brandon Thomas-Asante also gives the technical team several options across midfield and attack.

Ghana will, however, need more than individual brilliance to overcome Somalia. Their ability to maintain possession, create clear-cut opportunities and remain defensively disciplined will be crucial if they are to secure the desired result.

For Somalia, the encounter presents an opportunity to capitalise on Ghana’s recent struggles and collect their first points of the qualifying campaign.

The Ocean Stars began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to The Gambia, with Bilal Njie finding the net, before suffering a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in their second outing.

Under head coach Yusuf Ali Nur, Somalia will be hoping to produce a disciplined performance against the four-time African champions and take advantage of any defensive lapses.

Bilal Njie, Somalia

The visitors have named a 23-man squad for the double-header, featuring a blend of home-based and foreign-based players, with experienced defender Abel Gigli and winger Sakariya Hassan among the notable players expected to contribute.

Although Somalia lacks the international pedigree and squad depth of their opponents, their determination to secure a positive result should make them a competitive opponent.

Tactically, Ghana is expected to take the initiative and dominate possession, with Kudus and Fatawu Issahaku offering the ability to create chances through individual skill and movement in attacking areas.

Jordan Ayew’s experience and ability to link up play could also prove important, particularly against a Somali side expected to defend in numbers and look for opportunities on the counter.

The Black Stars must be careful not to become predictable in possession or leave spaces behind their defensive line. Their inability to protect a two-goal advantage against The Gambia highlighted the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the 90 minutes.

Somalia, meanwhile, will likely look to remain compact, frustrate the hosts and exploit opportunities through quick transitions.

The midfield contest could therefore prove decisive, with Ghana needing to control the tempo and prevent Somalia from finding opportunities to launch dangerous counter-attacks.

In the Group C standings, Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia currently occupy the top two positions with six points each, while Somalia and Ghana are without a point after two matches.

The top two teams in the group will qualify for the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Two victories against Somalia would take Ghana to six points and significantly improve their position ahead of their remaining fixtures against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

The reverse fixture is scheduled for Monday, November 16, also at the Essipong Sports Stadium, giving both teams another opportunity to strengthen their positions in the group.

For Ghana, today’s encounter represents more than an opportunity to collect three points. It is a chance to restore confidence, respond to growing concerns surrounding the national team and demonstrate that the recent setbacks will not define their qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars have the quality and experience to overcome Somalia, but they must translate their advantage on paper into a convincing performance on the pitch.

Somalia will arrive determined to frustrate their hosts, but Ghana’s attacking options and home advantage make them favourites to secure victory.

A positive result is essential for the Black Stars, who cannot afford another setback in a campaign that has already placed their hopes of reaching AFCON 2027 under serious pressure.

By Jesse Otoo

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