Pointless and bottom of Group C, Ghana look to Somalia for a reset as assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko demands belief and responsibility.
The Black Stars of Ghana are in unfamiliar territory, and one of their coaches knows exactly what it will take to climb out. Assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko says the road back in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starts with belief and a shared sense of duty in the dressing room.
Four-time continental champions Ghana open a vital Group C double-header against Somalia this month, with the first leg at home on Thursday, November 12. After back-to-back defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia, the Black Stars sit bottom of the group with zero points. Nothing but maximum returns will ease the pressure.
Tanko insists the problem is not a lack of talent. In his view, Ghana have a deep squad of quality players who can compete with anyone. The challenge is getting every member of that group pulling toward the same goal and turning potential into performances on the pitch.
That, he says, means each player truly understanding what it means to pull on the national colours. Pride and accountability have to show up in the shirt, not just in the talk, and the Somalia fixtures are the first chance to prove it.
For a proud football nation like Ghana, a slow start is far from fatal, but the margin for error is shrinking. Two games, six points on offer, and a fanbase demanding a response: the Black Stars' AFCON 2027 push starts right here.
