Ghana have been told they cannot afford to drop points against Somalia if they are to rescue their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Black Stars are due to meet Somalia in the third and fourth rounds of the qualifiers, with the first match scheduled for 12 November and the return fixture four days later. Both games are expected to take place on home soil.
Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has urged the interim technical team to secure maximum points from the double-header, warning that anything less could severely damage the country’s chances of reaching the tournament.
“I think the two matches against Somalia: if we want to qualify for AFCON, no matter what, we have to win these two matches, and then we make sure we concentrate on the next match,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
“The coaches who have been given the job will have to do whatever it takes to win these two matches.”
Ghana lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia and are bottom of the section without a point.
The four-time African champions therefore face considerable pressure to revive their campaign against Somalia and improve their prospects of qualifying for the 2027 tournament.
Lamptey also said playing for Ghana could help footballers raise their profiles and increase their market value. He called on players to view international duty as a source of pride and to approach national-team commitments with greater dedication.
“Honouring national call-ups markets and raises your value. But things have changed, so it’s up to the nation, coaches and management to enshrine the love in the players to make them feel at home when they honour the call-ups,” he added.
The former midfielder said representing the country should be considered a privilege, while also stressing that the benefits of international football should be recognised by the players.
“It’s a privilege to be called to represent their country, so I think so far as we benefit from it, we have to be passionate and committed to the team,” he said.
“So, individually, I think the players have to see that they benefit from the job they are doing, and management should show love and commitment to hold the team together so that when they are called, they respond passionately to it.
“At the end of the day, it markets you. As soon as you wear the nation’s colours, it raises your value.”
Lamptey said the responsibility for creating a committed national side should not fall entirely on the players, arguing that the Ghana Football Association’s management must help them feel valued and supported.
The interim technical team, led by Kim Lars Bjorkegren and assisted by Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram, is expected to name its squad for the two matches this week.
Former Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda has also joined the new set-up as goalkeepers’ trainer ahead of its first assignment.
