By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Nov. 09, GNA – Interim Black Stars coach Kim Lars Björkegren has named a 26-man squad for Ghana’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium.
The squad sees the return of captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Kofi Kyereh and Alidu Seidu providing a major boost for the struggling national team.
Jordan Ayew returns to the national team after recovering from the groin injury that forced him to miss last month’s qualifiers, while Mohammed Kudus is back in the squad after a lengthy absence that kept him out of action throughout 2026, including the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
One of the most notable returns is that of German-based midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh, who has earned his first Black Stars call-up in four years following a prolonged injury layoff that sidelined him from international football since December 2022.
Defender Alidu Seidu also rejoins the squad as Ghana aim to strengthen a backline that has conceded six goals in two matches.
The coach has also rewarded outstanding performances in the Ghana Premier League with maiden call-ups for FC Samartex left-back Isaac Afful, Asante Kotoko defender Musa Hamzata and Medeama SC duo Etse Dogli and Emmanuel Annor.
The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Sunday ahead of the decisive fixtures, which could play a defining role in their quest to qualify for the 2027 AFCON tournament.
Ghana would host Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday, November 12, before facing the same opponents again on Monday, November 16, in the reverse fixture.
Having lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire and 4-2 to The Gambia in their opening qualifiers, the four-time African champions are under pressure to secure maximum points from the double-header to revive their hopes of progressing from Group C.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang.
Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Isaac Afful, Alidu Seidu, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Salisu Mohammed, Musa Hamzata.
Midfielders: Caleb Yirenkyi, Etse Dogli, Thomas Partey, Rahim Ibrahim, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Augustine Boakye, Ibrahim Sulemana.
Attackers: Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Emmanuel Annor, Ibrahim Osman, Prince Adu Kwabena, Brandon Thomas Asante, Felix Afena-Gyan and Jordan Ayew.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]