Kim Lars Björkegren’s Black Stars enter their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia with a squad reshaped by strategic returnees and fresh faces, signaling a determined push to reverse their qualifying woes. The interim coach has recalled Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh—three of Ghana’s most experienced players—alongside defensive reinforcements like Alidu Seidu and Thomas Partey, as the Black Stars aim to reclaim momentum after two consecutive defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The most notable absences from the 26-man list are those of Ibrahim Osman and Sadio Mané, both of whom were omitted despite their recent performances. Instead, Björkegren has prioritized the return of Kudus, who missed the entirety of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign due to injury, and Kyereh, whose absence since December 2022—following an ACL tear in February 2023—has left a void in the midfield. Kyereh’s recall, in particular, marks a long-awaited reunion with the national team, offering Björkegren a creative outlet in a role he has not occupied for nearly four years. Meanwhile, Partey’s inclusion after a prolonged injury layoff underscores the coach’s faith in his defensive midfield leadership, while Seidu’s return provides a much-needed anchor at the back.
Three homegrown talents—Musa Hamzata (Asante Kotoko), Emmanuel Annor (Medeama SC), and Etse Dogli—have also earned their first senior call-ups, reflecting Björkegren’s intent to develop local talent amid the qualifiers. Their inclusion, alongside left-back Isaac Afful (FC Samartex), signals a deliberate effort to blend experience with emerging potential. The squad’s structure now balances the tactical versatility of Kyereh and Partey with the physicality of Kudus and Ayew, who returns after recovering from a groin injury that sidelined him in October’s qualifiers.
The double-header begins on Thursday, November 12, at Sekondi Sports Stadium, with the return fixture scheduled for Monday, November 16. Björkegren’s camp in Accra has already begun assessing the squad’s dynamics, though the immediate challenge remains turning around Ghana’s qualifying fortunes. With Somalia—a team ranked 120 places below Ghana in FIFA’s latest ratings—a relatively minor opponent, the focus will be on regaining confidence and testing new formations ahead of the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The returnees’ presence alone suggests a determination to end the qualifying campaign’s early struggles, but the real test will come in how quickly they integrate into Björkegren’s system.
