Black Stars Squad Named for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Against Somalia — Kudus and Ayew Return

Ghana's Black Stars are gearing up for a crucial double-header in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, with head coach Kim Lars Björkegren naming a 26-man squad to face Somalia in back-to-back fixtures later this month. The squad brings together a mix of foreign-based professionals and home-grown talent from the Ghana Premier League, signalling the coach's intent to build depth across the team.

Key Returns Boost the Black Stars

The most anticipated returns in the squad are those of captain Jordan Ayew and Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus — two of Ghana's most influential players who have been absent from the national team setup for different stretches of time.

Jordan Ayew missed the previous two qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia after suffering a groin injury, but has since recovered and is set to resume his leadership duties for the team. His presence will be crucial not only as a captain but as an experienced head who can steady the side under pressure.

Mohammed Kudus's return is particularly significant. The Spurs forward has not pulled on a Black Stars shirt at all in 2026, having been ruled out of Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico through injury. His return to fitness and to the national team fold will be a major boost ahead of a qualifying run that matters greatly for Ghana's continental ambitions.

Also returning is German-based midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh, who has been absent from international duty for nearly four years following an injury sustained in December 2022. His recall marks a notable moment in what has been a lengthy and difficult road back to fitness and form.

Local League Players Get Their Chance

Beyond the returning stars, Coach Kim Lars has used this squad announcement to reward impressive performers in the ongoing Ghana Premier League. FC Samartex left-back Isaac Afful earns a call-up alongside Asante Kotoko's Musa Hamzata. Medeama SC have two representatives in the squad — Etse Dogli and Emmanuel Annor — both recognised for their consistent performances in the domestic top flight.

The inclusion of home-based players reflects a broader philosophy within the current coaching setup of maintaining a pipeline from the local league to the senior national team, ensuring that players who are performing week in, week out in Ghana are not overlooked in favour of foreign-based names alone.

The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Sunday, 8 November 2026, to begin preparations ahead of the fixtures.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The AFCON 2027 qualification campaign holds considerable importance for a Black Stars side that has endured turbulent times on the continental stage in recent years. Ghana failed to advance from the group stage at AFCON 2023, and the team's World Cup campaign this year was also not without its difficulties. Building momentum through qualification — and doing so convincingly — is vital for restoring confidence among supporters and within the squad.

The two matches against Somalia offer Ghana a strong opportunity to pick up maximum points. The first game will be played at the Sekondi Sports Stadium on Thursday, 12 November, with the return fixture taking place on Monday, 16 November 2026. Sekondi, a coastal city in the Western Region, has hosted Black Stars fixtures before and is expected to provide a passionate atmosphere for the home tie.

With familiar faces returning and local talent getting their opportunity, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see whether this squad can deliver the kind of performances that reignite optimism around the national team ahead of the tournament on home soil — AFCON 2027 is set to be hosted on African soil, making Ghana's participation all the more meaningful to fans across the country.