The Black Stars of Ghana will begin their campaign to secure a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they face 2023 African champions Ivory Coast at the Bouake Stadium on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Ghana head into the crucial Group qualifier severely weakened by the absence of several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, who have all withdrawn from the squad.
The setbacks present an early challenge for newly reappointed Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz, who has been tasked with guiding Ghana back to continental football after overseeing the team’s run to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The West African derby comes with added significance as Queiroz seeks to avoid a disappointing start against an Ivory Coast side eager to make a strong beginning to their qualification campaign on home soil.
The Elephants would be under the guidance of Hervé Renard, who returns for a second spell in charge of the national team. Renard, who led Ivory Coast to AFCON glory in 2015, is back 11 years after ending the nation’s 23-year wait for a continental title in Equatorial Guinea.
Although Ivory Coast lifted a third AFCON trophy on home soil in 2023, their title defence ended in disappointment after a quarter-final exit to eventual semi-finalists Egypt.
Despite that setback, former coach Emerse Fae left with his reputation enhanced, having guided the Elephants to AFCON success and later reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before their elimination by Norway in the Round of 32.
With Fae’s contract not renewed, Renard has returned to steer Ivory Coast through qualification and ultimately challenging for a fourth African title at the 2027 tournament to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Black Stars are certainly desperate to return to the continental stage after the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, where they finished bottom of a group featuring Angola, Sudan and Niger, recording three defeats and three draws.
Queiroz’s reputation for tactical organisation and defensive discipline may prove vital as the four-time African champions attempt to rebuild and end a long wait for continental success, having not won the AFCON title since 1982.
Team News
Ghana coach Queiroz has had to cope with the withdrawals of Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Alidu Seidu, who have been key components of the Black Stars over the past years.
Kudus’ absence comes as he continues to carefully manage his return from a long-term hamstring injury that ruled him out for much of the second half of the 2025-26 season and caused him to miss the World Cup.
There is some positive news for the Black Stars, however, with Alexander Djiku, Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Sulemana, Felix Afena-Gyan and Ibrahim Osman all returning to the squad.
Renard’s first squad since his return does not include forwards Evann Guessand and Omar Diakite, who were omitted from the initial 25-man squad. However, Ivory Coast still boast a formidable core featuring goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, defender Ousmane Diomande and midfield talisman Franck Kessie. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is also unavailable due to injury.
The attacking responsibility is expected to fall on Yan Diomande, who would be eager to make his mark during the September-October international window.
Ghana possible starting lineup: Asare (GK); Oppong, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Sibo, Donkor; Issahaku, Thomas-Asante, Nuamah
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup: Fofana (GK); Doue, Koussounou, Diomande, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Inao; Pepe, Bonny, Diomande
Kick-off time: 7:00 pm
Prediction: Ivory Coast 1-1 Ghana
