Ghana-Somalia: Somalia alleges intimidation ahead of match

Somalis sent away from the stadium

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Ghana-Somalia: Somalia alleges intimidation ahead of match

12.11.26 10:00 AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana

Somalia

Somalia’s preparations for its matches against Ghana have been overshadowed by controversy. The Somali national team has accused the host country of intimidation after security personnel reportedly interrupted its second training session at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Somalis sent away from the stadium

According to information provided by the Somali side, the players had held their first training session outside the stadium. They then reportedly asked for permission to use the university stadium for their second session and received approval. But after arriving and starting their training, they were reportedly interrupted by security personnel, who ordered them to leave the facilities.

🚨 Somalia’s second training session at the University of Ghana Stadium has been cancelled by security personnel, forcing the team to move their training session to another location outside the stadium. The team is preparing for their two AFCON qualifying matches against Ghana. #AfricanFootball #AFCONwithMicky #Somalia
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 10, 2026

The session was consequently interrupted. The delegation had to return to training outside the stadium, as it had the previous day. A video shared by a Ghanaian journalist appears to show the security personnel intervening.

Somalia alleges intimidation; stadium cites access issue

The Somali national team has denounced what it considers to be intimidating treatment ahead of its matches against Ghana. Stadium officials, however, offer a different account: they say the visitors had only been granted permission to use an auxiliary pitch, not the main field. They were therefore directed to the area assigned to them.

🚨 Somalia’s national team have been forced to return to training outside the University of Ghana Stadium after security officers ordered them to leave the facility. According to Somalia, the team trained outside the stadium yesterday. Today, they sought permission from the university to use the stadium for their training session and their request was approved. However, after arriving and beginning their training, security officers intervened and ordered them to leave the facility. The team have now returned to training outside the stadium, just as they did yesterday, as they prepare for their two AFCON qualifying matches against Ghana. Ghana and Somalia share good relations, and hopefully, this situation can be addressed amicably to ensure the visitors receive the respect and hospitality they deserve. #AfricanFootball #AFCONwithMicky #Somalia #Ghana
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 10, 2026

The Somali side hopes the incident can be resolved amicably, pointing to the good relations between the two countries and calling for its delegation to be treated with respect. Meanwhile, Ghana’s players have arrived in Takoradi to prepare for the first leg, scheduled for November 12 at Essipong Sports Stadium.

🎥 🇬🇭 The Black Stars have arrived in Takoradi for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Somalia. #CitiSports https://t.co/uuNaSoibVR
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) November 11, 2026

Somalia and Ghana will meet again on November 16 for the second leg, which will also be played on Ghanaian soil. The controversy has therefore emerged just days before an important two-legged tie for both teams in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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