Ghana forward Felix Afena-Gyan has called for strong support from the nation as the Black Stars prepare for two decisive 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Somalia.
Ghana will meet Somalia in a Matchdays Three and Four double-header at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi on November 12 and November 16. The four-time African champions must win both matches to revive a campaign that has begun badly.
The Black Stars are bottom of Group C without a point after successive defeats by Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia. Those results have placed Ghana under significant pressure, with maximum points against Somalia now vital to their hopes of reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Afena-Gyan, who has been named in the squad for the two qualifiers, believes Ghana can recover if the team receives the backing of its supporters.
Speaking to Africasports, the forward appealed to Ghanaians to fill the Essipong Sports Stadium and provide the encouragement needed to help the Black Stars secure victory.
“We will give our best,” Afena-Gyan said, while urging supporters to stand behind the team during the two matches.
The forward will hope to play an important part as Ghana attempt to reignite their qualification campaign. The Black Stars’ immediate task is to overturn the damage caused by their opening defeats and begin collecting points in Group C.
Ghana’s qualification bid carries added significance after the team failed to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. That absence ended the country’s run of successive appearances at the continental tournament.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Ghana therefore face the possibility of missing out on the competition for a second consecutive edition unless they can improve their position in the remaining qualifying matches.
The encounters with Somalia give the Black Stars an immediate opportunity to respond to their difficult start. Victories in Sekondi would provide the points needed to keep their hopes of reaching the tournament firmly alive.
