Ghana's interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren has named a 26-man squad for the Black Stars' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia. The squad includes the returns of Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh. However, the omission of several familiar figures has drawn attention ahead of the fixtures scheduled for November 12 and 16 at the Sekondi Sports Stadium.
Five key players have been left out of Björkegren's squad, including Kwasi Sibo, Alexander Djiku, Baba Rahman, Christopher Bonsu-Baah, and Elisha Owusu. According to Ghanasoccernet, Al-Swehly midfielder Kwasi Sibo is arguably the most surprising absentee. Sibo had built a reputation for energetic, defensively disciplined performances in central midfield and had cemented himself as a regular in Ghana's setup.
Centre-back Alexander Djiku is another experienced figure missing from the group. Djiku was a prominent presence at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and has long been a reliable option in Ghana's defensive line. His absence leaves Björkegren looking elsewhere to cover the defensive position across the two fixtures.
Former Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman also misses out despite his extensive international record, which includes appearances at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Young winger Christopher Bonsu-Baah, considered one of Ghana's more exciting attacking prospects, has also not made the cut. His pace and ability to stretch defenses from wide areas had drawn attention, but other attacking options will instead compete for starting roles.
Midfielder Elisha Owusu rounds out the list of notable omissions. Previously valued for his tactical discipline and ability to provide defensive cover in midfield, Owusu's absence further reflects the competitive nature of the selection process as Björkegren refines his preferred combinations. With Partey back in contention, Björkegren appears to have opted for different midfield configurations for the Somalia ties.
Ghana currently sits at the bottom of Group C after defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in their opening two qualifiers, making the Somalia double-header effectively a must-win if the Black Stars are to keep their 2027 AFCON qualification hopes alive. The stakes for both matches are considerable, and Björkegren will be looking to his selected squad to deliver maximum points.
The Ghana Football Association delayed its squad announcement for the Somalia double-header amid doubts over the availability of key players. UK-based journalist Rahman Osman subsequently disclosed that another prominent player was also unwilling to join the Black Stars. The team will now look to make the most of their selected squad and secure the necessary wins to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Key points
- The five omitted players are Kwasi Sibo, Alexander Djiku, Baba Rahman, Christopher Bonsu-Baah, and Elisha Owusu.
