Ghana head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia. The squad features a mix of local talents and Ghanaian players from various international leagues. Key players Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh return to the team, boosting the Black Stars' lineup. Captain Jordan Ayew is back after missing the last month's qualifying matches due to a groin injury.
Mohammed Kudus, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, has earned a recall after missing Ghana's international assignments in 2026 due to an injury that ruled him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Another major inclusion is German-based midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who returns to the Black Stars setup for the first time in nearly four years. Kyereh has been absent from the national team since December 2022 after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in February 2023.
Defender Alidu Seidu also returns to the squad as Björkegren looks to strengthen his options ahead of the double-header. Several impressive performers in the Ghana Premier League have been rewarded with opportunities to represent the senior national team. FC Samartex left-back Isaac Afful and Asante Kotoko midfielder Musa Hamzata have both been included in the 26-man squad. Medeama SC also has two representatives, with Etse Dogli and Emmanuel Annor earning call-ups.
The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to begin preparations for the two encounters against Somalia. Ghana will host Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi on Thursday, November 12, before the two sides meet again on Monday, November 16, 2026. Both fixtures are crucial to Ghana's campaign as the Black Stars seek to strengthen their position in Group C.
The squad announcement comes as a boost to the team, with several key players returning from injury or absence. The inclusion of local talents highlights the national team's continued efforts to identify and integrate promising home-based players into the Black Stars setup. The team's preparations are focused on securing qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Kim Lars Björkegren's squad selection appears to balance experience and youth, with a mix of seasoned players and new faces. The return of experienced players like Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus is expected to provide leadership and quality to the team. The Black Stars will look to make a strong impression in the upcoming matches against Somalia.
The upcoming matches against Somalia will be important to Ghana's campaign, with the team seeking to secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts, who will be eager to see how the new-look squad performs on the pitch.
Key points
- Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh return to the Black Stars squad.
- The squad features a mix of local talents and Ghanaian players from various international leagues.
- Ghana will host Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi on November 12, 2026.
