Ghana ended a miserable run of qualifying defeats by beating Somalia 2-0 at home in Sekondi-Takoradi, breathing life back into the Black Stars' Africa Cup of Nations 2027 campaign.

The result arrives at a critical moment — Ghana had lost both of their opening Group C fixtures, against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, a run that cost coach Carlos Queiroz his job. He departed by mutual consent before this month's double-header, with Ghana women's coach Kim Bjorkegren stepping in as interim manager.

Penalty miss fails to derail the hosts

Ghana were handed an early opportunity when Alidu Seidu was fouled inside the penalty area, but Jordan Ayew saw his 14th-minute spot-kick pushed away by Somalia goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein. It was a moment that could have unsettled the hosts, yet they regrouped and found their breakthrough before half-time.

Mohammed Salisu met Mohammed Kudus's deep corner with a header back across goal, and Jonas Adjetey was alert at the back post to nod the ball in from six yards out in first-half stoppage time.

Afena-Gyan wraps up the points

Any lingering nerves were settled just after the hour mark when Felix Afena-Gyan added a second. His shot from inside the box squirmed beneath Hussein and crept over the line to give the Black Stars a comfortable cushion.

The win moves Ghana to three points in Group C, leaving them three points adrift of Ivory Coast and The Gambia, who faced each other in Bouake at 19:00 GMT on the same evening. The four-time continental champions remain in danger of missing a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations finals, but Thursday's result at least keeps their hopes alive.

Elsewhere across the continent, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Senegal were also in action as seven other Afcon 2027 qualifying matches took place on Thursday.