Kwasi Sibo, 4 Others Miss Out as Ghana Names Black Stars Squad for Somalia

Black Stars coach Kim Lars Björkegren named a 26-man squad for Ghana's upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header against SomaliaKwasi Sibo, Alexander Djiku, Baba Rahman, Christopher Bonsu-Baah and Elisha Owusu all missed out on selectionGhana face Somalia on November 12 and 16, needing maximum points after losing their opening two Group C matchesGhana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Interim Ghana coach Kim Lars Björkegren has announced a 26-man squad for the Black Stars' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia, but five established names have been left out of the selection.

The squad includes the returns of Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh, yet the omission of several familiar figures has drawn attention ahead of the fixtures, scheduled for the Sekondi Sports Stadium on 12 November and 16 November, respectively.

Kwasi Sibo, 4 Others Miss Out as Ghana Names Black Stars Squad for Somalia Source: Getty Images5 key omissions from Björkegren's squad1. Kwasi SiboAl-Swehly midfielder Kwasi Sibo is arguably the most surprising absentee.

Black Stars: Kudus, Partey headline returnees for 2027 AFCONQ

Having built a reputation for energetic, defensively disciplined performances in central midfield, Sibo had cemented himself as a regular in Ghana's setup.

With Partey back in contention, Björkegren appears to have opted for different midfield configurations for the Somalia ties.

Centre-back Alexander Djiku is another experienced figure missing from the group. A prominent presence at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Djiku has long been a reliable option in Ghana's defensive line, though he will not feature as the team attempts to rescue its qualification campaign.

Former Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman also misses out despite his extensive international record, which includes appearances at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His absence leaves Björkegren looking elsewhere to cover the left-back position across the two fixtures.

Young winger Christopher Bonsu-Baah, considered one of Ghana's more exciting attacking prospects in recent seasons, has also not made the cut. His pace and ability to stretch defences from wide areas had drawn attention, but other attacking options will instead compete for starting roles under the interim technical team.

Ghana vs Somalia: Kudus, Jordan Ayew included in Black Stars 26-man squad

Midfielder Elisha Owusu rounds out the list of notable omissions. Previously valued for his tactical discipline and ability to provide defensive cover in midfield, Owusu's absence further reflects the competitive nature of the selection process as Björkegren refines his preferred combinations.

The stakes for both matches are considerable.

Ghana currently sit at the bottom of Group C after defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia in their opening two qualifiers, making the Somalia double-header effectively a must-win if the Black Stars are to keep their 2027 AFCON qualification hopes alive.

YEN.com.gh previously reported that the GFA delayed its squad announcement for the Somalia double-header amid doubts over the availability of key players.

UK-based journalist Rahman Osman subsequently disclosed that another prominent player was also unwilling to join the Black Stars.

Black Stars: What is causing delay in Ghana’s squad announcement for Somalia?

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Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe (Sports Editor) Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a CAF-accredited journalist with over five years of experience in digital journalism. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Rural Arts and Industry (2016). Godwin’s career includes covering the 2023 AFCON and grassroots competitions within Ghana. He has also served as a Presenter at VNTV, a Sports Analyst at Obonu FM, and a Football Writer for a myriad of sports websites. He joined Yen.com.gh in 2024 to cover sports. Email: godwin.tagoe@yen.com.gh.