2027 AFCONQ: Black Stars ‘have to win’ doubleheader against Somalia – Odartey Lamptey

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey says the Black Stars must win both games against Somalia or risk missing out on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The four-time African champions, who missed out on the previous edition in 2025, are on the verge of a second successive absence after back-to-back defeats in their first two qualifiers.

The Black Stars suffered 2-0 and 4-2 defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia, respectively, in their opening Group C games.

The Black Stars will face Somalia in a double-header at the Essipong Sports Stadium on November 12.

After securing approval to use the same stadium, Somalia will host Ghana in the return fixture on November 16.

“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,” Odartey Lamptey told Asempa FM.

“The coaches who have been given the job will have to do whatever it takes to win these two matches.”

“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 said.

“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.”

Ahead of the games, Kim Lars Björkegren will serve as interim head coach of the Black Stars, with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as his assistants, after former head coach Carlos Queiroz parted ways with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Björkegren is expected to announce his starting XI this week ahead of the matches.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The tournament will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.