Ghana's Black Stars have received encouraging news ahead of their important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Somalia after winger Ernest Nuamah returned to contention following an injury setback.

The Olympique Lyon attacker has been included in the French club's squad for Sunday's Ligue 1 encounter against Stade Brestois after recovering from a muscle injury that had raised concerns about his availability for Ghana's upcoming international assignments.

Nuamah's return comes at an important time for the Black Stars, who are preparing for a crucial double-header against Somalia as they seek to revive their disappointing start to the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

The 23-year-old was forced to miss Lyon's UEFA Europa League match against Real Sociedad on Thursday after suffering a muscle strain. His absence immediately created uncertainty about whether he would recover in time to represent Ghana during the November international break.

However, his inclusion in Lyon's squad for the trip to Brest is a positive development for both the French club and the Ghanaian national team.

Nuamah will be hoping to return to competitive action without experiencing any further physical problems. His performance and fitness during the weekend fixture could provide a clearer indication of his readiness for the Black Stars' assignments.

Why Nuamah's Return Matters to Ghana

The former FC Nordsjælland winger has been one of Lyon's important attacking options this season, using his pace, dribbling ability and direct approach to trouble opposing defenders.

He has made 13 appearances across all competitions during the 2026/27 campaign, scoring six goals and providing one assist. Those numbers demonstrate the attacking contribution he has made for his club.

His availability could give Ghana another valuable option in the final third, particularly as the team prepares for two matches in which goals and maximum points will be extremely important.

The Black Stars have endured a difficult beginning to their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, suffering defeats against Ivory Coast and The Gambia in their opening two Group C matches.

Consequently, the upcoming meetings with Somalia have become extremely important for Ghana's qualification ambitions. The team will be under pressure to collect all six available points to improve its position in the group.

Ghana's Upcoming Fixtures Against Somalia

Ghana are scheduled to host Somalia on November 12, 2026, before travelling for the return encounter on November 16.

The two matches will provide the Black Stars with an opportunity to respond to their disappointing results and put their qualification campaign back on track.

Nuamah's recovery is therefore welcome news for the technical team, although his final availability will depend on his fitness and the assessment of the national team medical staff.

Ghanaian supporters will be hoping that the Lyon winger maintains his fitness and brings his club form into the national team setup.

With his pace, attacking quality and recent goalscoring contribution, Nuamah could become an important figure as the Black Stars attempt to secure positive results against Somalia.

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