AFCON 2027Q: Ghana’s Black Stars Revive Campaign With 2-0 Win Over Somalia

Ghana’s Black Stars finally got their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification campaign back on track with a 2-0 victory over Somalia on Thursday at the Essipong Sports Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi.

Interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren, who replaced Carlos Queiroz after a disastrous start, secured his first win in charge. Ghana had started Group C with zero points after a 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast in Bouaké and a shocking 4-2 home collapse to The Gambia after leading 2-0.

Captain Jordan Ayew, recalled after missing the last two games, missed a 14th-minute penalty after Alidu Seidu was fouled. Somali keeper Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein saved the spot-kick. Ayew was making his return alongside Mohammed Kudus, who played his first game in 2026.

The breakthrough came on the stroke of halftime as defender Jonas Adjetey headed Ghana in front in the second minute of first half added time to settle the home crowd.

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Ghana then doubled the lead through in-form striker Felix Afena-Gyan in the 62nd minute* – his first goal of the qualifiers.

The win means Ghana move off the bottom of Group C to three points from three games while
Somalia remain on 0 points after three defeats.

The Black Stars had failed to win any of their six games in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and had lost their first two for 2027 – this ends a eight-match winless run in AFCON qualifying.

The two sides meet again on Monday, November 16 also at Essipong Stadium. Somalia ceded home advantage as they do not have a CAF-approved stadium. Only the top two in Group C qualify for the 2027 AFCON to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

James Agberebi is a sports content creator and analyst with a passion for football and other sports. He writes sports news, match reports, and analysis to keep fans informed about the latest developments in the sporting world. James has covered international matches involving both Nigeria’s men’s and women’s national teams. His experience covering Nigerian football gives him a good understanding of the game and the teams he writes about. Through his work with Complete Sports, James shares sports updates, match coverage, and analysis with readers in Nigeria and around the world.