AFCON 2027
AFCON 2027Q – Black Stars : Deeds not Words
It is that time again. The Black Stars are set to face Somalia — yes, Somalia.
After failing to take their chances against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, both away and at home, Ghana’s national team finds itself under renewed pressure. The side failed to qualify for the last AFCON, and the recent draw that pitted them against Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia has reopened old wounds that still refuse to heal. Those responsible for fixing the team’s problems continue to fall short.
In the two qualifying matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, the Black Stars looked spineless — lacking direction, purpose and ambition. Against Côte d’Ivoire they failed to hit the right notes and lost 2-0. Few were surprised. Hervé Renard’s side knew exactly what they were doing.
When Jonathan McKinstry’s well-drilled and disciplined Gambia side came to Accra and put four goals past Ghana, it was no shock either. It was the product of months of intensive preparation meeting a team that had nothing working.
Everything about the Black Stars currently looks bleak and dire. Things could get even worse if they fail to maximise the double home fixtures against Somalia, starting on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
There are, however, small signs of hope. The return of Mohammed Kudus comes at a time when the team has been starved of creativity. His presence after missing the World Cup should inject some much-needed spark.
Kofi Kyereh is also back in the squad after 38 long months on the sidelines. That absence must have weighed heavily on him, but his creative ability has always given Ghanaians something to savour. Fans will be hoping he gets the chance to make his long-awaited return and remind everyone of what he can offer.
It goes without saying that the local contingent (Emmanuel Annor,Etse Dogli, Hamzata Musah, Isaac Afful) would be waiting earnestly on the beach for an opportunity to show what fibre they are made of against Somalia in Essipong to Ghanains.
For a team that has looked bereft of ideas for too long, these home games against Somalia represent a chance to restore some belief and begin stitching the wounds that have been left open for far too long.
Medeama SC forward Emmanuel Annor couldn’t hide his excitement after earning his first senior call-up to the senior national team of Ghana.
The 23-year-old was named in interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s 26-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia.
The first duel is set for November,12, 2026 at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi.
Annor has been instrumental this season being involved in six goals contributions and basking two MVP’s in ten games for Medeama SC.
Speaking exclusively to SaharaFootball.net form his bass in Tarkwa, the young found was grateful to earn the call-up.
“Well, first I thank God for everything how far He keeps bringing me, because this is a big platform for me and then I feel so happy and grateful for it all.” he ended.
Ghana will look to bounce back from opening defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia as they play Somalia in Essipong.
Ghana’s Black Stars will be desperate to get their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track when they host Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium on Thursday, November 12.
The four-time African champions head into the Group C encounter under pressure after suffering defeats in their opening two matches, leaving them bottom of the standings without a point.
Ghana began their campaign with a 2-0 loss away to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a disappointing 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium, despite initially taking a two-goal lead.
Their opponents, Somalia, have also endured a difficult start, losing 2-1 to The Gambia before falling 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire. The Ocean Stars are third in the group with zero points, ahead of Ghana on goal difference.
The meeting therefore presents both nations with an important opportunity to record their first victory of the qualifying campaign and revive their hopes of reaching the tournament.
Ghana will draw confidence from their previous encounters with Somalia. The two sides last met in a two-legged 2006 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifying tie in November 2003, with the Black Stars winning both matches to secure a 7-0 aggregate victory.
Ghana recorded a 5-0 win in the first encounter before completing the double with a 2-0 victory in the return fixture. The historical record gives the Black Stars an advantage on paper, although the current circumstances present a different challenge.
Somalia, known as the Ocean Stars, will also be eager to upset the hosts and collect their first points. The East African nation has yet to qualify for either the Africa Cup of Nations or the FIFA World Cup, making every qualifying campaign an opportunity to move closer to a historic breakthrough.
For Ghana, however, the stakes are particularly high. Having missed out on the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the Black Stars cannot afford another disappointing qualifying campaign.
With Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia already on six points, Ghana will need a strong response in the remaining fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive. A victory over Somalia would provide a much-needed boost ahead of the return meeting between the two sides on November 16.
The first encounter kicks off at 3:00 pm at the Essipong Sports Stadium, where the Black Stars will be aiming to turn their fortunes around and give their supporters reason to believe again.
Black Stars captain Gideon Mensah has accepted full responsibility for Ghana’s painful 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana raced to a two-goals lead through Ernest Nuamah penalty on the 27th minute and Afena Gyan on the 38th minute but the opposition crawled back twice to level the score at halftime,2-2.
The scored two goals in the second half to beat the home team by 4-2 leaving, the Black Stars winless in two games, and winless in eight games in the AFCON qualifiers since 2023.
Speaking after the match, in which the hosts threw away a 2-0 lead, Mensah admitted the team fell short of expectations.
“We have to accept that luck wasn’t on our side and we probably didn’t perform as we were supposed to perform,” he said. “As a captain today, I feel like I will also take responsibility for everything that happened today. We are the players and we’re supposed to accept whatever comes from the people that we play for.”
The left-back, who was involved in two key moments that allowed Gambia back into the game, added: “I think also take responsibility for everything that happened on the field today.”
Ghana now sit bottom of Group C without a point after consecutive defeats. Mensah’s comments come as the team looks to regroup and respond in the remaining qualifiers.
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