Somalia have accused Ghanaian officials of intimidation after security officers halted the national team’s training at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on Tuesday, November 10.
The Ocean Stars were conducting their second scheduled session at the Legon facility when uniformed personnel instructed the players and technical staff to leave the pitch. Video shared on X by sports journalist Micky Jnr showed the visitors being escorted away from the playing surface.
Somalia subsequently moved their training to another ground outside the stadium. Members of the delegation said the University of Ghana had authorised them to use the stadium after they trained on an outer pitch on Monday, November 9.
They described the intervention during the session as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the team before Thursday’s meeting with Ghana.
The two sides are due to play the first of two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday, November 12. The return fixture is scheduled for Monday, November 16, with both matches kicking off at 3:00 pm GMT.
However, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, a former communications director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), offered a different explanation for the incident in a post on X.
He said stadium officials’ position was that Somalia had been given permission to train only on a practice pitch outside the main stadium bowl.
By Tuesday evening, the GFA, the National Sports Authority (NSA), the University of Ghana and the Somali Football Federation had not released official statements addressing the dispute.
Ghana prepare for qualifying double-header
While Somalia trained at Legon, Ghana held their final session in Accra at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The Black Stars then travelled to Sekondi, where interim head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren’s 26-man squad will finish preparations for the opening match.
Neither Ghana nor Somalia has collected a point in Group C after two games. Both teams have lost to Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams said Ghana’s technical team must accept full responsibility for the Black Stars’ performance against Somalia, after stating that the government had fulfilled its obligations.
The NSA has set ticket prices at GH¢50 for seated areas at Essipong Sports Stadium. Students will be allowed to enter the standing terraces free of charge.
