Black Stars to revive AFCON qualifying hopes against Somalia - Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu

Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is optimistic the Black Stars can revive their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign despite losing their opening two matches.

Ghana made a disappointing start to their Group C campaign, losing 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a shock 4-2 defeat against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The results have left the four-time African champions without a point after two games, bottom of the group and facing an uphill battle to secure qualification for the tournament.

However, Agyemang-Badu believes Ghana can turn their fortunes around when they face Somalia in a double-header next month.

“I’m optimistic that the Black Stars might win their next games,” he told Ahenfie Sports.

The former midfielder, who was part of Ghana’s squad that won the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, also called on the national team’s coaching and technical staff to give more opportunities to talented players in the domestic league.

Agyemang-Badu believes players performing well in the local game deserve a chance to prove themselves at international level.

“Let’s give local players the chance they deserve,” he added.

An interim technical team is expected to take charge of the Black Stars for their upcoming fixtures against Somalia as Ghana seeks to get its qualifying campaign back on track.

The November double-header presents the team with an important opportunity to collect maximum points and improve their position in Group C.

Ghana are seeking a return to the AFCON finals after missing out on the 2025 edition in Morocco, having finished bottom of their qualifying group without a win.

With their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament already under pressure, the Black Stars will need a significant improvement in results to keep their qualification ambitions alive.