The Côte d'Ivoire national team, led by coach Hervé Renard, is set to face Ghana at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké. This match marks the beginning of their campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2027). Renard, who previously coached the team from 2014 to 2015, led them to a continental title in 2015. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 local time in Côte d'Ivoire and 21:00 in France.
For this match, Renard has selected a squad of 25 players, including eight new additions: Christ Tapé, Kassoum Ouattara, Amadou Koné, Eddy Doué, Malick Yalcouyé, Patrick Zabi, Rayan Fofana, and Yann Gboho. The team also retains several key players from the previous generation, such as Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Evan Ndicka, and Nicolas Pépé. This blend of experience and new talent is expected to form the core of the team in the upcoming qualifiers.
The CAN 2027 qualifiers will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Côte d'Ivoire's next matches include a game against Somalia on September 29 in Abidjan, followed by a friendly match against Cameroon on October 3. These matches will provide Renard with an opportunity to assess his team's performance and make necessary adjustments ahead of the tournament.
The match against Ghana will be broadcast live on RTI in Côte d'Ivoire and beIN Sports in France. CANAL+ will also air the match in over 30 French-speaking countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been working to increase access to matches across the continent by partnering with various broadcasters.
Renard's return to the Côte d'Ivoire national team has generated significant interest, given his previous success with the team. His appointment was seen as a major coup for Ivoirian football, and fans will be eager to see how he builds on his previous achievements. The team's performance in the CAN 2027 qualifiers will be closely watched, as they aim to make a strong impression under Renard's guidance.
The Ghana team, known as the Black Stars, will be looking to cause an upset against Côte d'Ivoire. They have been dealing with injuries to some of their key players, which could impact their performance in the match. Côte d'Ivoire will be seeking to capitalize on this and secure a positive result in front of their home fans.
The outcome of this match will have significant implications for both teams in their quest for qualification for CAN 2027. A win for Côte d'Ivoire would provide a boost to their campaign and give them momentum heading into their next matches. The team will be looking to make a strong statement under Renard's leadership and demonstrate their capabilities on the continental stage.
Key points
- Hervé Renard returns as coach of Côte d'Ivoire for CAN 2027 qualifiers.
