Ghana's Black Stars midfielder Kwasi Sibo has expressed confidence in his team's ability to match Côte d'Ivoire's quality as they prepare for a demanding start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Ghana will open their Group C campaign away to the Elephants at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September, before returning to the Accra Sports Stadium to host The Gambia three days later. Sibo's comments come as Ghana look to return to the AFCON after missing out on the previous edition.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sibo admitted that Côte d'Ivoire possesses talented individuals but insisted that the Black Stars have enough quality to compete. He emphasized that the team is ready for the challenge, saying, "It doesn’t scare me as a player, and we all know the opponents in front of us." Sibo's confidence is a boost to the team as they prepare to face a tough opponent in Côte d'Ivoire.
New head coach Carlos Queiroz will be hoping to build early momentum in the qualifying campaign. Queiroz has been tasked with leading the Black Stars back to the AFCON, and a strong start against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia will be crucial. The team's preparations have been ongoing, with Queiroz adding nine players to the squad for the upcoming matches.
The Black Stars will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October. This match will provide the team with an opportunity to test their skills against another top opponent and make any necessary adjustments before the qualifiers. The team's recent preparations and additions to the squad have been aimed at ensuring they are ready for the challenges ahead.
Sibo's comments reflect the team's confidence and readiness for the qualifiers. The midfielder's experience and skills will be crucial in Ghana's matches against Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. The team's ability to match Côte d'Ivoire's quality will be tested when the two teams meet at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September.
Ghana's coach, Carlos Queiroz, has emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches. He has stated that the team's goal is to earn their place in the AFCON and that they must show a "tough mentality" to achieve this goal. The team's performance in the qualifiers will be a key indicator of their progress under Queiroz's leadership.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers will be a significant test for Ghana's Black Stars, but Kwasi Sibo's confidence and the team's preparations suggest that they are ready for the challenge. With a tough opponent in Côte d'Ivoire and a crucial match against The Gambia, Ghana will need to be at their best to achieve their goal of returning to the AFCON.
Key points
- Ghana's Black Stars midfielder Kwasi Sibo expresses confidence in matching Côte d'Ivoire's quality ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
