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Following Thursday’s competitive Group C opener in Sekondi-Takoradi, Somalia return to training ahead of Ghana return leg as Ocean Stars seek response in their fourth fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Under the guidance of head coach Yusuf Ali Nur, the national squad resumed pitch sessions in Ghana to address tactical transitions and offensive efficiency ahead of Monday, November 16. Although the upcoming fixture is designated as Somalia’s official home match, it is being staged at the Essipong Sports Stadium because Somalia currently lacks a Confederation of African Football-approved venue to host senior international matches.
The training sessions follow a disciplined yet demanding 2-0 defeat to the four-time African champions on Thursday evening. During that encounter, Somalia frustrated the home crowd throughout the opening forty-five minutes with an organized defensive structure anchored by goalkeeper Ibrahim Ahmed, who denied Ghana captain Jordan Ayew from the penalty spot in the fourteenth minute. However, the Black Stars broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time through defender Jonas Adjetey before substitute Felix Afena-Gyan added a second goal after the interval to secure Ghana’s first qualifying victory in three years.
Despite the setback, coaching staff and sports analysts highlighted Somalia’s defensive resilience as an encouraging foundation to build upon. Across their previous nine international matches, the Ocean Stars have consistently avoided conceding more than two goals in a single game, including a September performance in which they held reigning African champions Ivory Coast scoreless for over eighty minutes. Nevertheless, technical preparations ahead of Monday’s kickoff have focused heavily on improving ball retention and creating clearer attacking opportunities after Somalia managed just three total shots in the first leg.
As Somalia return to training ahead of Ghana return leg as Ocean Stars seek response, the Group C standings leave little margin for error. Somalia currently sit fourth in the group without a point after three matches, trailing Ivory Coast on nine points, The Gambia on six, and third-placed Ghana on three. With kickoff scheduled for 15:00 GMT on Monday, November 16, the squad aims to deliver a sharper, more balanced performance in Sekondi-Takoradi as they pursue their first points of the qualifying campaign.