Asare Benched, Kudus Starts: Probable Black Stars XI to face Somalia

Ghana is preparing to host Somalia at the Essipong Stadium on Thursday, November 12, 2026, in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture. The Black Stars are under immense pressure to bounce back from a poor start to their campaign and secure a vital victory to keep their qualification hopes alive. The encounter is widely viewed as a must-win situation for the home side, who are heavily favored to defeat a Somali team they are expected to dominate. To achieve this, the team is expected to welcome back several key players who were previously unavailable, significantly strengthening the squad for the high-stakes encounter.

One of the major talking points ahead of the game is the situation in goal, where Lawrence Ati-Zigi is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup. This tactical decision will likely see Benjamin Asare dropped to the bench for the crucial fixture. In front of the goalkeeper, the defense is expected to feature Alidu Seidu and Gideon Mensah occupying the right and left full-back positions, respectively. At the heart of the defense, Mohammed Salisu is tipped to make his return to the starting eleven, partnering with Jerome Opoku to provide the defensive stability and solidity required to neutralize any potential threats from the visitors.

The midfield and attacking setups are also set to see significant reinforcements. Thomas Partey is expected to anchor the midfield, bringing his vast experience and tactical discipline to the center of the park, while Daniel Kofi Kyereh will likely operate alongside him to provide creativity, forward movement, and a link to the attack. The most notable return, however, is that of Mohammed Kudus, who has recovered from an injury and is tipped to feature in the starting lineup. Kudus is expected to operate in the attacking midfield role just behind the striker, pulling the strings in the final third. On the flanks, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Jordan Ayew are expected to occupy the wide positions, providing width and attacking thrust, while Brandon Thomas-Asante is tipped to lead the line as the central striker.

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