AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Asante Kotoko defender Musa Hamzata earns debut Ghana call-up for Somalia double-header

Asante Kotoko defender Musa Hamzata has earned his first opportunity to represent Ghana after being named in the Black Stars for the crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Somalia.The 23-year-old centre-back is among the three debutants selected by interim coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren for the two-legged encounter against Somalia this month. His is also one of the four home-based player to have made the cut for the impending matches.He joins Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, Samartex defender Isaac Afful, and Medeama midfielder Etse Dogli as the only local players named in the 26-man squad.Hamzata has established himself as one of the solid centre-backs in the Ghana Premier League, making nine appearances for the Porcupine Warriors and racking up a goal in the process.His outstanding performance did not go unnoticed, with the Black Stars technical handlers awarding him with a call-up.Ghana are scheduled to face Somalia in Matchdays 3 and 4 of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with the first encounter set for Thursday, November 12, at the Essipong Sports Stadium before the two sides meet again on Monday, November 16.The Black Stars endured a difficult start to their qualifying campaign, suffering back-to-back defeats against Ivory Coast and The Gambia during the September-October international window.The four-time African champions currently sit bottom of Group C, making maximum points from the two matches against Somalia crucial to their hopes of securing a place at the tournament.Ghana are desperate to return to the continental showpiece after failing to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco, marking their first absence from the competition since 2004.The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with the Black Stars determined to avoid another disappointing qualification campaign and reclaim their place among Africas elite.