Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has declared that qualification is the only prize that matters as the Black Stars prepare to face Côte d'Ivoire in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture on Thursday, September 24. The match takes place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, and it arrives at a challenging moment for Ghana. The Black Stars have managed just one win from their last five outings.
Côte d'Ivoire, on the other hand, have found the net in four of their most recent five matches, according to Flashscore. Despite the contrasting form, Queiroz made clear that his squad's purpose in Bouaké is straightforward. He emphasized that qualification is the primary goal, and the match against Côte d'Ivoire is just one step towards achieving that goal.
Queiroz described the contest as one between two elite African sides, saying that both teams want to win. He expressed his hope that Ghana will be the team with more inspiration to get the right result. The Portuguese coach is confident in his team's abilities, despite the absence of key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo.
The absences represent a significant blow given the calibre of players involved, though Queiroz insisted the missing names would not alter what Ghana are setting out to achieve. He emphasized that the team's goal remains clear, and they are focused on winning the match. Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign begins with this fixture as the Black Stars look to secure a place at the continental showpiece.
The head-to-head record between the two sides adds another layer of intrigue to the fixture. Their last five senior encounters produced three Ghana victories and two draws, though the most recent of those meetings ended 0-0 in 2021. The 2015 AFCON final was also goalless after 120 minutes, with Côte d'Ivoire claiming the title on penalties.
Earlier, Côte d'Ivoire coach Hervé Renard had described the Group C clash with Ghana as a major African football showdown. He said the match would leave little room for mistakes. Renard, who guided his side to AFCON glory in 2015, is confident in his team's abilities and expects a tough match against Ghana.
The match against Côte d'Ivoire is a crucial one for Ghana, and Queiroz is focused on securing a positive result. The Black Stars are looking to bounce back from their exit at the group stage of the 2023 edition in Côte d'Ivoire. A win in this match would be a significant step towards achieving their goal of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz emphasizes that qualification is the only prize that matters ahead of the Black Stars' 2027 AFCON qualifying opener against Côte d'Ivoire.
- The match against Côte d'Ivoire is a crucial one for Ghana, with both teams looking to secure a positive result in their Group C clash.
- Ghana will be without key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo, though Queiroz insists the absences will not alter the team's goal.
