Somalia seek a response after three straight defeats against Ghana

Somalia under pressure in Group C

Somalia have lost three matches in a row, and their latest defeat was in this competition. That run leaves them bottom of Group C on no points after three matches, three points behind third-placed Ghana. Ghana’s win would extend that gap; a Somalia victory would bring the sides level on points.

The match is at Essipong Sports Stadium in Takoradi, Ghana. Somalia are the designated home team, so the home/away labels below do not imply an advantage from playing in Somalia. Somalia’s five qualifying matches include the preliminary round; their Group C record covers three matches.

Somalia’s competition record across five matches is a win, a draw and three defeats, with two goals scored and six conceded. At home in this competition, they have drawn once and lost once, scoring no goals and conceding two.

A modest scoring return against Ghana’s defensive concerns

Somalia have scored twice in five Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, while Ghana have conceded six in three. That contrast offers Somalia a possible route into the game, although the home side’s two-match record in the competition has brought no goals.

Ghana’s own figures also leave room for uncertainty: they have scored four and conceded six in three qualifying matches. Away from home in this competition, Ghana lost their only match, scoring none and conceding twice. A pattern to watch is whether Somalia can turn their limited home scoring into a goal against a Ghana side that has yet to win away in the competition.

A quick rematch after Ghana’s win

The teams met on 12 November, when Ghana beat Somalia 2-0 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. It is their only listed meeting, giving Ghana the early head-to-head advantage.

Our prediction

Ghana have the edge after winning the recent meeting, while Somalia’s three-match losing run and lack of a home goal in this competition underline the pressure on them. But Ghana’s away defeat and defensive record leave a draw as a plausible alternative.