AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Match Preview - Ghana face must-win Somalia clash as Kudus, Ayew and Partey return

The Black Stars open their double-header against Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday afternoon (kick-off 3:00 pm GMT) with their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign already in trouble.Defeats to Cote dIvoire and The Gambia leave Ghana with no hope in Group C, and a third straight loss would seriously call into question their qualification for next year's tournament in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in Eastern Africa.The mood has lifted with the return of some of the teams most important players. Mohammed Kudus is back for the first time in 2026, having missed all of Ghanas international assignments this year, including the FIFA World Cup through injury.Thomas Partey returns to bring order to the midfield after missing the games against Cte d'Ivoire and The Gambia, and defender Mohammed Salisu is also back to steady a defence that conceded in both opening games.Captain Jordan Ayew and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh are also back, making the Black Stars squad stronger for the back-to-back fixtures.Their absence was felt. Ghana have gone five matches without a win, including a 4-2 loss to The Gambia in Accra last month.The team looked short of leadership, creativity and defensive composure, and these returnees supply exactly those things.The occasion is also a test for interim head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, who takes charge of his first competitive match after moving over from the Black Queens. He has been clear about the task: six points from two games in Takoradi, taken one match at a time.Somalia should not be underestimated. They are also without a point, but they pushed Cote dIvoire close and will arrive organised and hard-working.Captain Abdulsamed Abdullahi has said the Ocean Stars will not be intimidated by Ghanas reputation. Against a stubborn, compact side, an early Ghana goal would change the game. If it doesnt, pressure from the stands will build quickly.Ghana will be expected to dominate possession, so the key question is how well Kudus, Partey and Ayew combine in their first game together under the new coach. Patience will matter as much as quality.The same teams meet again at the same venue on Monday, November 16. Somalia will use Essipong as their home ground for that return fixture because they have no CAF-approved stadium of their own.