Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, arrived in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, aboard a Ghana Air Force aircraft. The team departed Accra at 9:45 am and landed at their destination around 11:30 am, giving them ample time to settle before facing the Elephants in their Group C opener of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The decision to use a military aircraft was driven by the need for a direct and well-coordinated trip that would eliminate logistical headaches often associated with high-stakes away assignments. This arrangement allowed the team to keep their preparation focused and disruption-free, traveling as a complete group on a single, controlled flight.
According to former Ghana Football Association spokesperson, Ibrahim Saanie Daara, the direct flight by the Air Force plane to Bouaké cut out a lengthy onward journey by road, reduced costs, and eliminated complicated flight connections. This enabled the players to arrive quicker, fresher, and with less travel stress before the crucial AFCON qualifier against Côte d'Ivoire.
The choice of a military flight carries added weight given the Black Stars' past experiences. In September 2017, Ghana beat Congo 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Brazzaville under coach Kwesi Appiah, but the team was left stranded due to the government reportedly declining to cover the cost of flying the squad home. Former captain Asamoah Gyan chartered a private jet at his own expense to bring the team back to Accra.
The 2017 incident exposed serious gaps in administrative support for the national team during international travel. Nearly eight years later, the Ghana Football Association and relevant authorities appear to have drawn lessons from the experience. The Air Force flight to Bouaké represents a more deliberate and structured approach to managing the team's welfare on away fixtures.
Côte d'Ivoire, the 2023 AFCON champions, will be formidable opponents on home soil, making this qualifier one of the more demanding tests Ghana could face at this stage of the campaign. With travel arrangements sorted, attention now shifts to the match itself. The Black Stars will face a tough challenge against one of the continent's most formidable teams.
The Black Stars will likely field a depleted squad, with key players like Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Thomas Partey unavailable for the clash. Despite this, Carlos Queiroz's side will look to secure a positive result against Côte d'Ivoire.
Key points
- The Black Stars traveled to Bouaké in a Ghana Air Force aircraft for their 2027 AFCON qualifier against Côte d'Ivoire.
- The decision to use a military flight was driven by the need for a direct and well-coordinated trip.
- The team will face a tough challenge against Côte d'Ivoire, the 2023 AFCON champions.
