Ghana Welcome Back Kudus, Ayew, Partey and Salisu for Must-Win Somalia Qualifier

Ghana’s Black Stars have received a major boost ahead of Thursday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia, with Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey and Mohammed Salisu all returning to the squad for a match the four-time African champions cannot afford to lose.

The quartet’s return was confirmed by the Ghana Football Association in its official match preview, marking a significant reinforcement for a team that sits bottom of Group C with zero points after two defeats . Interim head coach Kim Lars Björkegren named a 26-man squad for the double-header, which also sees the recall of Daniel Kofi Kyereh and Alidu Seidu .

A Campaign in Crisis

Ghana’s qualifying campaign has begun disastrously. The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire and then suffered a stunning 4-2 collapse against The Gambia, conceding four goals after leading 2-0 . The results cost previous coach Carlos Queiroz his job, with Björkegren—described in some reports as interim coach—now tasked with salvaging the campaign in his first competitive fixture in charge .

The defeats also took a toll on Ghana’s global standing. The Black Stars dropped five places to 70th in the latest FIFA rankings, sitting 14th in Africa .

Somalia, meanwhile, are also on zero points after losses to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, making Thursday’s clash at the Sekondi Sports Stadium a genuine must-win for both sides . The return fixture is scheduled for Monday, November 16, at the same venue .

The Returnees and What They Bring

Kudus’s return is the headline. The Tottenham Hotspur attacker has not featured for Ghana at all in 2026, having been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup through injury . The GFA preview described his comeback as transformative: “Kudus brings pace, direct running, creativity, and goals from midfield, and he is the one player who can change a game in a single moment” .

Captain Jordan Ayew returns after missing last month’s qualifiers with a groin injury. His leadership and link-up play are expected to be crucial against a Somali side likely to defend deep .

Partey’s return addresses a midfield imbalance evident in the opening two matches. The GFA noted that “without him, Ghana lacked that balance” and that his presence “sets the tempo, wins the ball back, and allows the attackers ahead of him to play with freedom” .

Salisu, the AS Monaco defender, returns after missing both the World Cup and the opening qualifiers. His physicality and composure are urgently needed for a backline that has conceded six goals in two games .

Kyereh’s recall is particularly poignant—the VfL Osnabrück midfielder earns his first national team call-up in nearly four years following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in February 2023 .

Fresh Faces and a New Era

Björkegren has also rewarded Ghana Premier League form with three first-time call-ups: Asante Kotoko defender Musa Hamzata and Medeama SC duo Emmanuel Annor and Etse Dogli . The squad blends established European-based stars with domestic talent, a balance the coach will hope delivers immediate results.

The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Sunday, November 8, before travelling to the Western Region .

Somalia’s Warning

Somalia will not arrive in Takoradi as mere bystanders. Assistant coach Andre Joao Castro previously fired a verbal shot at Ghana’s disorganisation, saying: “At the moment, Ghana has no potential coach. The team is disorganised, but we are fully prepared to battle them” . While Somalia also lost their opening two matches, they pushed Côte d’Ivoire close and will be desperate for their first points .

What’s at Stake

Six points from the double-header would completely reset Ghana’s campaign and ease the pressure on a new coaching regime. Anything less would leave the Black Stars facing an uphill struggle to reach the 2027 tournament in East Africa. With Kudus, Ayew, Partey and Salisu back in the fold, Björkegren finally has the spine of a team capable of delivering. The question is whether they can gel quickly enough to avoid another embarrassing slip-up.

Kick-off on Thursday, November 12, is at 15:00 GMT .

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Reporter’s note: The match is scheduled for November 12, 2026, not November 1 as initially indicated. Squad and injury information is sourced from the Ghana Football Association and official squad announcements.