AFCON 2027Q: Black Stars face Somalia with qualification hopes hanging in the balance

Three months ago, if anyone had mentioned Ghana would be on the brink of not making another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), many would have laughed about it.

Two games into the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON, and Ghana's quest to be at the continental tournament hangs in the balance. This is after back-to-back defeats to Cote d'Ivoire and Gambia in their first two games.

However, against Somalia, the Black Stars have an opportunity to breathe life into their qualifiers and get it back on track ahead of subsequent matches.

Ghana face Somalia on matchday three of the qualifying series at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi on Thursday, November 12, in the first of two clashes.

The Black Stars currently sit at the bottom of Group C after the two losses and must win against Somalia if they are to stand a chance of being at Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda next year.

Just like Ghana, Somalia are also on zero points after losing their first two games.

The team is currently under the tutelage of Kim Lars Bjorkegren with assistance from Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram for the next two games.

Bjorkegren will be looking to keep Ghana's record in games against Somalia intact. The Black Stars have won all two games they have played against Somalia, scoring seven goals and conceding none. Both games came during the qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana claimed a 5-0 win on November 16, 2003, before beating the Somalis 2-0 at home.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Swede coach said, "There have been some meetings, of course, where we have discussed how we want to play, how we want to create chances, score goals and how we want to win this game."

"We want to make sure that we give them a show that everyone wants to see. On a personal note, I’d rather show than tell what I do, but I hope that people have been able to see over a period of time the energy and the passion that I bring on the pitch, mixed with always being a goal threat, and also like to put on a show for the fans as well. I think that’s part of the Ghanaian way of making football beautiful," added Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Ghana will be boosted by the return of Mohammed Kudus, who is back for the first time in 2026. His return alone lifts the team. Kudus brings pace, direct running, creativity, and goals from midfield.

He is joined by Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey, who both missed the games against Côte d'Ivoire and Gambia.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT at the Essipong Stadium, with the Black Stars hoping for a good result on the national team's return to Sekondi for the first time since 2010.