Ghana’s Black Stars face Somalia today, Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, looking for their first points of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Kick-off is at 3:00pm GMT.
Ghana sit bottom of Group C with zero points after losing their opening two matches, 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire and 4-2 to The Gambia. Somalia are also yet to pick up a point in the qualifiers.
The match is the first of a double-header. The two sides meet again on Monday, November 16, at the same venue, which will serve as Somalia’s designated home game because the country does not have a CAF-approved stadium.
Only the top two teams in Group C qualify for AFCON 2027, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Interim coach Björkegren leads Black Stars after Queiroz exit
The two defeats in September led to the exit of head coach Carlos Queiroz. GhanaTrends reported at the time when the GFA terminated Queiroz’s contract.
Black Queens coach Kim Lars Björkegren has been put in interim charge of the Black Stars for the Somalia games. He is assisted by former Ghana internationals Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram.
Kudus, Partey and Jordan Ayew return to Black Stars squad
Björkegren named a 26-man squad, which opened camp in Accra on Sunday, November 8, before travelling to Takoradi on Tuesday.
Captain Jordan Ayew is back after missing last month’s games with a groin injury. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus also returns after injury kept him out of Ghana’s matches this year, including the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Partey is expected to provide leadership in midfield, while German-based midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh returns to the squad for the first time since December 2022.
Five Ghana Premier League players in Black Stars squad
The squad includes five home-based players, three of them earning maiden call-ups:
- Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak) – goalkeeper
- Isaac Afful (FC Samartex) – left-back
- Musa Hamzata (Asante Kotoko) – defender, maiden call-up
- Etse Dogli (Medeama SC) – midfielder, maiden call-up
- Emmanuel Annor (Medeama SC) – forward, maiden call-up
Full Black Stars squad vs Somalia
- Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang
- Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Alidu Seidu, Mohammed Salisu, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Isaac Afful, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Musa Hamzata
- Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Caleb Yirenkyi, Etse Dogli, Rahim Ibrahim, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Augustine Boakye, Ibrahim Sulemana
- Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Jordan Ayew, Ibrahim Osman, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan, Emmanuel Annor, Prince Adu Kwabena
Ghana’s AFCON 2027 qualifying record so far
- Côte d’Ivoire 2-0 Ghana (defeat)
- Ghana 2-4 The Gambia (defeat)
- Points: 0 – bottom of Group C
- Next: Ghana vs Somalia, November 12 and November 16, Essipong Sports Stadium
Sports Minister wants all six points
Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams has said Ghana should win both games. “I believe that the next two games that we have in this window, we should be able to get all the points that are available,” he told Asempa FM, according to Adomonline.
“They need our continuous support. They need our prayers, and I believe that the energy in the team is quite good,” the minister added.
What the Somalia games mean for Black Stars fans
Ghana missed AFCON 2025 in Morocco, and another early stumble would put a second straight absence in danger. With two defeats already, the Black Stars cannot afford to drop points against Somalia.
Six points from the double-header would take Ghana to six points and keep them in the race for a top-two finish. Anything less would leave them depending on other results.
What happens next
After today’s game, the Black Stars stay in Sekondi-Takoradi for the return fixture on Monday, November 16. Results from both games will decide whether Ghana move off the bottom of Group C heading into the next qualifying window.
Summary at a glance
- Fixture: Ghana vs Somalia, AFCON 2027 qualifier, Group C
- Date and time: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 3:00pm GMT
- Venue: Essipong Sports Stadium, Sekondi-Takoradi
- Return match: Monday, November 16, same venue
- Ghana’s record: two defeats, zero points
- Interim coach: Kim Lars Björkegren, assisted by Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram
- Squad: 26 players, including Kudus, Partey, Jordan Ayew and Kyereh
FAQs
What time is Ghana vs Somalia today?
The match kicks off at 3:00pm GMT on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi.
Who is coaching the Black Stars against Somalia?
Kim Lars Björkegren is the interim head coach, with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as his assistants, following the exit of Carlos Queiroz.
Where will the second Ghana vs Somalia match be played?
The return match is on Monday, November 16, also at the Essipong Sports Stadium, as Somalia’s home game because the country has no CAF-approved stadium.
The Black Stars go into today’s game in Sekondi under an interim coach, with Kudus, Partey and Jordan Ayew back and zero points from two games. Wins over Somalia on Thursday and Monday would revive Ghana’s hopes of reaching AFCON 2027.
