Ghana began the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign on a disappointing note after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their Group C opener at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Thursday evening.
The Black Stars struggled to impose themselves against an Ivorian side that controlled much of the contest and created the better opportunities, leaving Carlos Queiroz’s men with an early setback in their bid to return to the continental showpiece.
Côte d’Ivoire made the brighter start and threatened Ghana’s goal several times during the opening stages. Nicolas Pépé came close with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, while the hosts continued to dominate possession.
Ghana’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Ernest Nuamah, who attempted to catch goalkeeper Yahia Fofana off his line with a long-range effort, but the shot drifted wide. The Black Stars struggled to create clear openings since then as the Ivorians remained largely in control.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 44th minute when Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouyé produced a powerful strike from outside the box that went beyond Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
The goal marked a memorable start to Yalcouyé’s senior international career, with the youngster making his competitive debut for Côte d’Ivoire after being handed his first senior call-up by returning coach Hervé Renard.
The 20-year-old was among eight newcomers in Renard’s first squad since returning to the Elephants.
Kessié Extends Ivorian Advantage
Ghana went into the interval trailing by a goal but found themselves under further pressure after the restart as Côte d’Ivoire continued to control possession and territory.
Yalcouyé was involved again shortly after the break when he went down inside the Ghanaian penalty area following a challenge from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
Algerian referee Moustafa Ghorbal controversially awarded a penalty despite protests from the Ghana players, and Franck Kessié stepped forward to convert from 12 yards in the 56th minute.
The second goal forced Queiroz into changes as he sought a way back into the contest. Felix Afena-Gyan, Benjamin Tetteh and Augustine Boakye were introduced in the 64th minute, replacing Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Christopher Bonsu Baah.
The substitutions injected greater urgency into Ghana’s attacking play, with the Black Stars finally beginning to threaten the Ivorian defence. However, their improved spell came too late to change the outcome.
Benjamin Tetteh and Caleb Yirenkyi tested the hosts as Ghana recorded their first efforts on target late in the game, while Afena-Gyan and Boakye also came close during stoppage time. Fofana and the Ivorian defence, however, held firm to preserve the clean sheet.
La Cotê d’Ivoire Continue Dominance of the Black Stars in AFCON Qualifiers
The defeat also extended an unwanted record for Ghana in AFCON qualifying meetings with Côte d’Ivoire.
Before Thursday’s encounter, the two nations had met four times in the qualifying competition, with Côte d’Ivoire winning three and the other ending in a draw. The Ivorians had scored six goals without conceding in those four matches, including victories in the 1974 and 1986 qualifying campaigns.
Thursday’s result means Côte d’Ivoire have now won four of their five AFCON qualifying games over Ghana, while the Black Stars remain without a win or a goal against their neighbours in the competition.
The result leaves Ghana at the bottom of Group C, although the standings will become clearer after The Gambia face Somalia in the group’s other opening fixture.
The top two teams from each of nine qualifying groups will advance to the 2027 AFCON, while the three co-hosts, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, have already secured places in the finals.
Ghana must now regroup quickly, with their next Group C assignment coming against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
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