Interim Black Stars head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has unveiled a 26-man squad for Ghana’s forthcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Somalia, with Medeama SC midfielder Etse Dogli earning a maiden national team invitation.
The Swedish tactician has assembled a formidable blend of seasoned internationals, emerging talents and returning campaigners as the four-time African champions intensify preparations for their upcoming continental assignment.
Dogli’s inclusion represents one of the most compelling talking points of the selection, with the Medeama SC midfielder earning recognition for his impressive displays in the Ghana Premier League. His elevation to the senior national team is a testament to his burgeoning influence and consistency at the domestic level.
The Tarkwa-based outfit will also have another representative in Emmanuel Annor, whose inclusion further reinforces Medeama’s growing representation in the national setup.
Another headline inclusion is Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who makes a highly anticipated return to the Black Stars after an extended absence occasioned by a debilitating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in February 2023.
The attacking midfielder’s return adds considerable creative ingenuity and technical sophistication to Ghana’s midfield, with the 30-year-old expected to provide an additional dimension to the team’s attacking operations.
The midfield department also features Thomas Partey of Al Shabab, Coventry City’s Caleb Yirenkyi, Rahim Ibrahim of Slovan Bratislava, Augustine Boakye of Saint-Étienne and Ibrahim Sulemana of Sassuolo.
In the goalkeeping department, Björkegren has retained the services of Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Lawrence Ati-Zigi of FC St. Gallen and Joseph Anang of St. Patrick’s Athletic.
The defensive ranks comprise Gideon Mensah of FC Köln, Isaac Afful of FC Samartex 1996, Alidu Seidu of OGC Nice, Jerome Opoku of Istanbul Basaksehir, Jonas Adjetey of Wolfsburg, Kojo Peprah Oppong of Fenerbahce, Mohammed Salisu of AS Monaco and Musa Hamzata of Asante Kotoko.
Meanwhile, the attacking department boasts considerable firepower, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus and Ipswich Town winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku among the prominent names selected.
They are joined by Emmanuel Annor, Ibrahim Osman of Brighton and Hove Albion, Prince Adu Kwabena of FC Viktoria Plzen, Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City, Felix Afena-Gyan of Igdir FK and experienced forward Jordan Ayew of Sheffield United.
Ghana will entertain Somalia in the first encounter on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with proceedings scheduled to commence at 15:00 GMT.
The Black Stars will subsequently travel for the reverse fixture on Monday, November 16, 2026, when Somalia host Ghana in the second instalment of the qualifying double-header. Kick-off is also scheduled for 15:00 GMT.
The two fixtures constitute an important examination of Ghana’s continental ambitions, with the Black Stars seeking to consolidate their qualification prospects and reassert their pedigree on the African football landscape.
The assignment also presents Björkegren an opportunity to imprint his tactical philosophy on the team, evaluate the calibre of his available personnel and cultivate the cohesion required to navigate the demanding qualification campaign.
With Dogli poised for a potential international breakthrough and Kyereh returning to the fold after an arduous rehabilitation journey, the forthcoming encounters will offer an intriguing glimpse into the direction of the Black Stars under their interim technical leadership.
BLACK STARS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic).
Defenders: Gideon Mensah (FC Köln), Isaac Afful (FC Samartex 1996), Alidu Seidu (OGC Nice), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Peprah Oppong (Fenerbahce), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Musa Hamzata (Asante Kotoko).
Midfielders: Caleb Yirenkyi (Coventry City), Etse Dogli (Medeama SC), Thomas Partey (Al Shabab), Rahim Ibrahim (Slovan Bratislava), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Osnabrück), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Ibrahim Sulemana (Sassuolo).
Forwards: Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Ipswich Town), Emmanuel Annor (Medeama SC), Ibrahim Osman (Brighton and Hove Albion), Prince Adu Kwabena (Viktoria Plzen), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Felix Afena-Gyan (Igdir FK), Jordan Ayew (Sheffield United).
