Somalia head coach Yusuf Ali Nur has unveiled his 23-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying double-header against Ghana, with both fixtures scheduled to take place on Ghanaian soil this month.

The Ocean Stars are preparing for a crucial two-legged encounter against the Black Stars as both nations seek to revive their qualification campaigns following disappointing starts to Group C.

Somalia and Ghana are yet to record a point in the qualifiers after suffering defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia respectively in their opening matches. The upcoming fixtures therefore present a significant opportunity for both sides to get their campaigns back on track.

Coach Nur has assembled a squad featuring a blend of home-based and foreign-based players, with experienced defender Abel Gigli and winger Sakariya Hassan among the notable names expected to play important roles in Somalia’s quest for positive results.

The 23-man selection consists of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards.

Somalia’s 23-Man Squad

Goalkeepers: Abdirahman Mahamud Jama, Ibrahim Ahmed Hussein, Khalid Mohamed Nor.

Defenders: Abel Gigli, Ali Mohammed Omar, Mohamud Ali, Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi, Abdulle Abdullahi Abdulle, Faysal Abubakar Osman Omar, Abdiwali Abdirahman Mohamed, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed.

Midfielders: Jarma Ibrahim Abdi, Abdulrahman Mohamoud Sharif, Osman Mohamed Ahmed, Mukhtar Abdi Suleiman, Abdulsamed Abdullahi, Mohamud Mohamed Osman.

Forwards: Mubashir Nour, Sakariya Hassan, Issa Adan Yusuf, Ali Muse, Muse Jailani Bile, Bilal Njie Cali.

With both encounters taking place in Ghana, the Black Stars will enjoy the familiarity of home conditions despite Somalia being designated as the hosts for the first leg.

However, the Ocean Stars will be determined to make the most of the opportunity and collect valuable points against a Ghanaian side equally desperate for a turnaround.

The double-header could prove decisive in shaping the Group C standings, with both nations knowing that further setbacks would significantly complicate their hopes of securing qualification for AFCON 2027.