Ghana 2-0 Somalia: Kim Bjorkegren's side win but waste 23 shots

Ghana's 2-0 win over Somalia in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday was their first of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and it kept their hopes of reaching the finals alive. Kim Bjorkegren's side had 23 shots to Somalia's three, 75.8% possession, and 44 touches in the opposition box. They also missed a 14th-minute penalty and needed a goalkeeping error to double their lead.

Ghana's attacking output against Somalia was far above what they had managed earlier in 2026. They averaged 8.0 shots across their previous matches this year; here they had 23. They averaged 44.4% possession; here they had 76.0%. Their accurate passes rose from an average of 314.8 to 500.0, and their passes in the opposition half from 127.0 to 283.0.

But the goals did not come from that control. Jonas Adjetey headed in from six yards in first-half stoppage time after Mohammed Salisu nodded a Mohammed Kudus corner back across goal. Felix Afena-Gyan made it two just after the hour mark when his shot from inside the box squirmed under Somalia goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein and over the line. One set piece, one error. Jordan Ayew's 14th-minute penalty was saved by Hussein. From 23 shots and eight on target, Ghana scored twice, and neither goal required a sustained attacking move.

Somalia, who had three shots and two on target, offered little going forward. Their eight touches in the opposition box compared to Ghana's 44. This was not a match where the opposition threatened. It was a match where Ghana had almost all of the ball and almost all of the territory, and still needed a corner and a mistake to break through.

The result leaves Ghana on three points in Group C, three behind Ivory Coast and The Gambia. Those two sides meet in Bouake later on Thursday. Ghana had lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, which led to the departure of coach Carlos Queiroz by mutual consent. Bjorkegren, the Ghana women's coach, was placed in interim charge for this month's double-header against Somalia.

The question now is whether this performance represents progress or simply what dominance looks like against a side that offers so little. Two big chances from 23 shots is a low return. Against stronger opponents, who will not sit as deep or concede as much space, Ghana will need to convert territory into goals more efficiently.

For now, the win keeps qualification hopes alive. But the reliance on a set piece and a goalkeeping error, despite overwhelming attacking volume, raises questions about whether this process is sustainable.