Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has confirmed that the Essipong Stadium has received temporary approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the Black Stars 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Somalia.Okraku made the announcement during a meeting with Parliaments Select Committee on Sports, revealing the Black Stars will use the Sekondi-based facility for the first leg of the double-header against Somalia this month.The first leg of the crucial fixture has been scheduled for November 12, 2026 before the return clash four days later.The development comes after the stadium recently underwent renovation works as part of efforts to improve its facilities and bring it up to the required standards for international football.CAF had earlier granted the Black Queens permission to use the venue for their Olympic Games qualifier against Mauritius last month, providing another opportunity for the facility to host an international fixture.The Black Stars are scheduled to face Somalia twice in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ghana hosting the first encounter at Essipong before the return fixture.Meanwhile, Somalia, which lacks a CAF-approved stadium, have already secured permission to host Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium for the reverse fixture.Ghana will be looking to revive their qualifying campaign after a disappointing start that has left them bottom of Group C.The Black Stars opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to neighbours Ivory Coast in Bouak before suffering another setback at home against The Gambia.With qualification hopes requiring an immediate response, the upcoming double-header presents an important opportunity for Ghana to get their campaign back on track, beginning with their home fixture at Essipong Stadium.
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