Absent from the Black Stars since January, Mohammed Kudus made his first appearance for Ghana in 2026, in the 2-0 win over Somalia. The Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder delivered the corner that led to the first goal.
Mohammed Kudus is back with the Black Stars. Starting as an attacking midfielder in interim head coach Kim Lars Björkegren’s 4-2-3-1, he made his first appearance for Ghana in 2026 in the 2-0 victory over Somalia at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi, according to YEN.com.gh and Graphic Online.
For the first goal, scored by centre-back Jonas Adjetey in the 45+2nd minute, it was Kudus who started the move: a deep corner headed back by AS Monaco centre-back Mohammed Salisu before Adjetey scored from six yards, BBC Sport reports. Salisu also returned to the starting XI, as noted by YEN.com.gh and The Ghana Report.
A corner and a statement return
Ghana’s first goal came from a combination between two returning players. Kudus, absent from the Black Stars since January and who missed the 2026 World Cup, was involved from that corner floated onto the head of Mohammed Salisu, before Jonas Adjetey’s finish.
Salisu, for his part, directly contributed to his national team teammate’s goal, according to BBC Sport. That first goal illustrates the immediate impact of both players on their return.
A fragile Ghana context
Because Ghana came into the match with a troubled recent record. The Black Stars had lost their previous two games against Ivory Coast and Gambia, which led to Carlos Queiroz’s departure, BBC Sport reports.
In this match, captain and forward Jordan Ayew missed a penalty in the 14th minute, saved by Somali goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein. The second goal came from forward Felix Afena-Gyan in the 62nd minute.
In the standings, this win leaves Ghana three points behind Ivory Coast and Gambia, according to BBC Sport and madeinfoot.
Next qualifying fixture
The reverse fixture, Somalia v Ghana, matchday 4 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, is set for 17 November 2026.
Until then, Ghana will have to build on the returns of Kudus and Salisu, in a run where they remain three points behind Ivory Coast and Gambia.