Ghana’s quest to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations hit an immediate snag following a 2-0 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké. Taking place at the Stade de la Paix on September 24, 2026, the high-profile Group C clash saw the host nation claim all three points in front of a packed home crowd.
The Ivorians set the tempo early, controlling 63% of the ball in the opening half. Their dominance paid off just before the break when Malick Yalcouyé broke the deadlock in the 44th minute. Shortly after the restart, veteran midfielder Franck Kessié doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, putting the game effectively out of reach.
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Despite fielding a squad depleted by key absences, the Black Stars rallied in the second half and created a handful of promising scoring opportunities, though they failed to capitalize. The fixture also marked a triumphant start for the Elephants under the guidance of returning manager Hervé Renard.
With Somalia and The Gambia making up the rest of Group C, Ghana now faces immediate pressure to rebound. The Black Stars will look to ignite their qualification campaign when they host The Gambia on Tuesday, September 29, before their rematches with the Ivorians later in November.
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