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Black Stars arrive in Takoradi for Somalia AFCON qualifiers
•2 min read•3 sources
The Black Stars arrived in Takoradi on Tuesday evening, November 10, to begin final preparations for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia. The national team touched down following their final training session in Accra and was met with a vibrant reception at the airport. Local fans, traditional masquerades, and a brass band provided a festive welcome for the players and technical staff as they moved to their base in the Western Region.
The team made a notable fashion statement upon arrival, with players and officials wearing matching brownish-orange camouflage outfits. Led by interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren, the 24-man squad present in camp includes key returnees Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Kofi Kyereh. However, the technical team will be without Alidu Seidu and Marvin Senaya, who were confirmed as the only absentees from the initial call-up list. The squad is set to continue training sessions at the Essipong Stadium to acclimate to the local conditions and pitch ahead of the match.
These fixtures carry immense weight for Ghana’s qualification hopes, as the Black Stars currently sit at the bottom of Group C. Following disappointing defeats to Côte d’Ivoire (2-0) and The Gambia (4-2), the team needs maximum points from this double-header to remain in contention for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Under the current qualifying format, only the top two teams from each group will secure a spot in the continental showpiece.
The first match against Somalia is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Essipong Sports Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. GMT. The return leg will follow on Monday, November 16, at the same venue. Although the second game is technically Somalia's home fixture, it will be played in Takoradi due to stadium approval challenges in Somalia, providing the Black Stars with a significant home-ground advantage for both critical encounters.
