Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, will begin their bid to return to the Africa Cup of Nations finals with a difficult match against three-time champions Ivory Coast in their opening 2027 qualifier. The match will take place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Thursday, marking a tough first assignment for new head coach Carlos Queiroz. The visitors have been hit by several withdrawals, including captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Alidu Seidu, and Prince Kwabena Adu.
Ivory Coast, under the guidance of Hervé Renard, who returns to the dugout 11 years after leading the Elephants to the 2015 AFCON title, will seek to build on their recent success. The Elephants have won three AFCON titles, with their most recent victory coming on home soil in 2023 under Emerse Fae. Renard's return comes after Fae guided Ivory Coast to the knockout stage of the most recent World Cup, but his contract was not renewed.
Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON finals after finishing bottom of their qualifying group, collecting three draws and three defeats against Angola, Sudan, and Niger. The Black Stars will therefore be under pressure to make a positive start against an Ivory Coast side seeking to build on their recent success. Ghana's recent form has been poor, with two consecutive losses, while Ivory Coast have won three of their past five matches.
Queiroz faces an early test as he prepares Ghana for an away match against one of Africa's leading sides without several key players. The 73-year-old Portuguese coach has responded by bringing in experienced defender Alexander Djiku, while Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Sulemana, Felix Afena-Gyan, and Ibrahim Osman are also expected to play important roles. The former Portugal and Iran coach will look to impose the organisation and discipline that have characterised many of his teams.
Ivory Coast will also be without several attacking options, including Evann Guessand and Omar Diakite, and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who is unavailable through injury. Renard can nevertheless call on a strong core featuring goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, defender Ousmane Diomande, and captain Franck Kessie. Yan Diomande is expected to carry much of the attacking responsibility in the absence of Sébastien Haller.
The predicted line-ups for the match see Ivory Coast starting with Fofana in goal, Doue, Koussounou, Diomande, and Konan in defence, and Kessie, Sangare, and Inao in midfield. Ghana are expected to start with Asare in goal, Oppong, Djiku, Adjetey, and Mensah in defence, and Yirenkyi, Sibo, and Donkor in midfield. The last meeting between the two sides ended goalless.
The match will be a significant test for both teams as they seek to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Ghana's coach, Carlos Queiroz, will look to secure a positive result in what promises to be a challenging encounter. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the qualifying campaign of both teams.
Key points
- Ghana's Black Stars face a tough away match against Ivory Coast in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier.
- Ivory Coast's coach, Hervé Renard, returns to the dugout 11 years after leading the Elephants to the 2015 AFCON title.
- Ghana will be without several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus.
