Ghana beat Somalia 2–0 to claim first win in Afcon 2027 qualifying

Ghana recorded their first victory in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Somalia 2–0 at home after losing their opening two matches. Jonas Adjetey and Felix Afena-Gyan supplied the goals in Sekondi-Takoradi, while Jordan Ayew had a first-half penalty saved, BBC Sport Africa reported. The win gave the Black Stars their first three points in Group C.

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The result came with Kim Bjorkegren in temporary charge of the men's side. Ghana's women's coach was appointed for this month's two matches against Somalia after Carlos Queiroz left by mutual consent. Defeats by Ivory Coast and The Gambia had left the four-time African champions facing the prospect of missing a second consecutive edition of the finals.

Ghana had an opportunity to go ahead in the 14th minute when Alidu Seidu was pulled down inside the penalty area. Ayew took the resulting spot-kick, but Somalia goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein kept it out. The hosts therefore had to wait until stoppage time at the end of the first half to make their breakthrough.

Adjetey scored the opener from close range following a corner delivered by Mohammed Kudus. Mohammed Salisu met the deep delivery and headed it back across the goal, allowing Adjetey to finish with a header from six yards. That sequence put Ghana ahead before the interval despite their earlier missed opportunity from the penalty spot.

Afena-Gyan added the second shortly after the hour. His effort from inside the penalty area went underneath Hussein and crossed the line, completing the scoring in Ghana's 2–0 victory.

The win left Ghana three points behind both Ivory Coast and The Gambia. Those two teams were scheduled to meet in Bouake at 19:00 GMT, so the gap reflected the standings before that fixture rather than a completed round of Group C games.

Elsewhere in qualifying, DR Congo defeated Sierra Leone 3–1 in Kinshasa, with Yoane Wissa scoring first. Their third win put them on nine points at the top of Group E. Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea drew 0–0, leaving both five points behind DR Congo.