2027 AFCON Qualifiers: CAF appoints Central African Republic referee for Ghana’s game against Somalia

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Central African Republic referee Andre Onesime Kolissala-Mbangui to officiate Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Somalia.

The Black Stars will host the Somalians in their Matchday 3 Group C encounter on Thursday, November 12, at the Essipong Sports Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 GMT.

Kolissala-Mbangui will be assisted by compatriot Bozoy Oriya Zaoubaye Wilfried De, who has been named Assistant Referee I, while Juan Ngua Nguema Eleng of Equatorial Guinea will serve as Assistant Referee II.

Another Equatorial Guinean, Gerson Adolfo Mico Esono Angono, has been appointed as the fourth official.

Nigeria's Mohammed Sanusi will serve as the Match Commissioner, with Mali's Dramane Dante appointed as the Referee Assessor.

Ghanaian official Danny Adotey will take up the role of Broadcast Venue Manager for the encounter.

The match is a crucial one for Ghana, who are desperate to revive their qualifying campaign after suffering back-to-back defeats in their opening two Group C matches.

The Black Stars lost 2-0 away to Ivory Coast before suffering a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia, despite taking a two-goal lead through goals from Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan.

Those results have left Ghana bottom of Group C without a point, putting pressure on the team to secure maximum points against Somalia.

With their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON already under pressure, the Black Stars will be looking to use home advantage to get their campaign back on track.