Ghana kick-start Afcon 2027 bid despite Ayew penalty miss
· Yahoo Sports
Ghana belatedly kick-started their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign with a 2-0 home win over Somalia.
The Black Stars had lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leading to the departure of coach Carlos Queiroz by mutual consent.
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Ghana women's coach Kim Bjorkegren was placed in interim charge for this month's double-header against the Ocean Stars, with the West Africans in danger of missing a second successive edition of the Afcon finals.
The hosts were given a chance to take an early lead in Sekondi-Takoradi after Alidu Seidu was pulled down in the box, but Jordan Ayew's 14th-minute penalty was saved by Somalia goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein.
Ghana did go ahead in first-half stoppage time when Mohammed Salisu headed Mohammed Kudus's deep corner back across goal and Jonas Adjetey nodded in from six yards out.
Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the Black Stars' advantage just after the hour mark when his shot from inside the box squirmed under Hussein and over the line.
The four-time continental champions remain six points behind group leaders Ivory Coast, who extended their 100% record by beating The Gambia 2-1 in Bouake.
Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouye tucked in from seven yards out and Elye Wahi slotted home to double the Elephants' lead before Musa Barrow pulled one back for the visitors before the break.
Elsewhere on Thursday, there were wins for Cameroon, DR Congo and Senegal, who all remain on track to qualify for next year's tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The third round of qualifying fixtures continues on Friday with Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa in action among 12 fixtures.
Jackson and Mbaye on target
Nicolas Jackson has 11 goals in 17 appearances for club and country this season [Getty Images]Nicolas Jackson set Senegal on their way to a 4-1 home win over Sudan in Group J, with Aston Villa team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye also on the scoresheet for Patrick Vieira's men in Dakar.
The Teranga Lions lead the standings on seven points, three ahead of Mozambique, who host Ethiopia on Friday.
Cameroon also remained unbeaten and moved on to seven points in Group G with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Namibia in Douala.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa opened the scoring as DR Congo continued their perfect start with a 3-1 triumph over Sierra Leone in Kinshasa.
The Leopards are on nine points at the top of Group E, five points ahead of Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea after those two sides drew 0-0.
Nigeria were handed a boost after Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau could only manage a 1-1 draw in their away tie against Madagascar in neutral Morocco.
The Super Eagles trail Guinea-Bissau by four points ahead of their home game against Tanzania on Friday (16:00 GMT).
Tanzania are assured of a place at Afcon 2027 as tournament co-hosts, with the other three sides battling for one qualification spot.
And Benin bolstered their bid to reach back-to-back finals with a 4-1 win over Central African Republic.
Gernot Rohr's Cheetahs lead Group F by three points from Burkina Faso, who entertain Mauritania on Friday.
In Group D, another section with just one spot available, Guinea moved level on points with table-toppers South Africa after seeing off Eritrea 2-1 in Conakry.
Thursday's Afcon 2027 qualifying results
Ghana 2-0 Somalia (Group C)
Ivory Coast 2-1 The Gambia (Group C)
Guinea 2-1 Eritrea (Group D)
DR Congo 3-1 Sierra Leone (Group E)
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Zimbabwe (Group E)
Benin 4-1 Central African Republic (Group F)
Cameroon 2-0 Namibia (Group G)
Senegal 4-1 Sudan (Group J)
Madagascar 1-1 Guinea-Bissau (Group L)