BY GRACE ZIGAH
The Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi will host both legs of Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia as the Black Stars prepare for two crucial encounters in their bid to revive their campaign.
Ghana will host the first meeting on Thursday, November 12, before Somalia assume home-team status for the return fixture on Monday, November 16. Both matches will be played at the Essipong Sports Stadium, giving the Black Stars an opportunity to secure maximum points on familiar territory.
The decision to stage both encounters at the same venue comes at a critical moment for Ghana, who have endured a disappointing start to their Group C campaign and are under pressure to get their qualification hopes back on track.
The four-time African champions have lost their opening two matches and currently occupy the bottom position in the group without a point.
Ghana began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat against defending champions Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering another setback against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Despite taking a two-goal lead in the encounter against the Scorpions, the Black Stars surrendered their advantage and eventually suffered a 4-2 defeat.
The two losses have left Ghana with a goal difference of minus four, having scored just twice while conceding six goals in their opening fixtures.
The upcoming double-header therefore presents an important opportunity for the Black Stars to recover from their poor start and collect the points needed to remain in contention for qualification.
Somalia, meanwhile, have also lost their opening two matches and sit third in Group C on goal difference. Like Ghana, they will be hoping to use the two encounters to revive their campaign.
With both fixtures scheduled at Essipong, Ghana will have the responsibility of making their home advantage count despite Somalia being designated as the home team for the second meeting.
The Black Stars are particularly keen to avoid another disappointing qualifying campaign after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Morocco.
