In a dramatic turn of events, Côte d'Ivoire snatched a late 2-0 victory over Somalia in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match, which took place on September 29, 2026, saw the Elephants struggle to break down Somalia for much of the contest. However, Yann Ghoho finally broke the deadlock in the 88th minute, setting the stage for Bazamouna Touré to seal the win with a second goal deep into added time.
The result propels Côte d'Ivoire to six points from their opening two matches, placing them in second position in Group C on goal difference. The Gambia currently tops the group, having stunned Ghana with a 4-2 comeback victory in Accra earlier in the day. This development puts Ghana's hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON under further pressure, with the Black Stars currently bottom of the group without a point after two matches.
Carlos Queiroz's Ghana side faces an uphill task in their bid to reach the 2027 AFCON. The team's poor start to the qualifiers has raised concerns about their chances of advancing to the tournament. Meanwhile, Côte d'Ivoire's victory has put them in a strong position to secure qualification, particularly with their upcoming double-header against The Gambia in November.
A win in both matches against The Gambia would take Côte d'Ivoire to 12 points, leaving them within touching distance of qualification, depending on results elsewhere. This would be a significant boost to their campaign, considering the competitive nature of the qualifiers. The upcoming matches are expected to be crucial in determining the final standings in Group C.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers have been marked by several upsets and surprising results. Ghana's 4-2 defeat to The Gambia was one such surprise, with the Gambians' coach, Baffour Awuah, expressing confidence in his team's abilities. The coach attributed Ghana's struggles to internal conflicts, claiming that the players clashed at halftime.
The loss has also had repercussions beyond the pitch, with Morocco canceling a friendly match against Ghana following the Black Stars' AFCON setback. This decision reflects the challenges Ghana faces in preparing for upcoming matches and regaining momentum in the qualifiers. Carlos Queiroz, Ghana's coach, has apologized for the team's humiliating defeat to The Gambia.
As the 2027 AFCON qualifiers continue, teams will need to regroup and strategize to improve their standings. For Côte d'Ivoire, the focus will be on securing victories against The Gambia to solidify their position. In contrast, Ghana must reassess their approach to salvage their campaign and stay in contention for a spot in the tournament.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire secured a 2-0 victory over Somalia with late goals from Yann Ghoho and Bazamouna Touré.
- The win places Côte d'Ivoire in second position in Group C, behind The Gambia, while Ghana remains bottom of the group without a point.
- Côte d'Ivoire's upcoming double-header against The Gambia in November could seal their qualification for the 2027 AFCON if they secure two victories.
