Ghana opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast at the Stade de Bouaké on Thursday, giving Carlos Queiroz a losing start in his return as Black Stars head coach
The Elephants dominated large spells of the game and were rewarded with a goal from Malick Yalcouye just before half-time, before captain Franck Kessie converted a penalty after the break to secure victory.
Alexander Djiku captained Ghana as Queiroz named an experienced starting line-up, but the Black Stars struggled to match the intensity of the hosts.
Ivory Coast created the first clear opportunity in the sixth minute when Real Madrid forward Yan Diomandé fired wide.
Nicolas Pépé then missed two promising chances within the opening 20 minutes as the hosts continued to threaten.
Ghana’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 18th minute after Ernest Nuamah capitalised on a loose pass, but his long-range effort went wide.
The Black Stars gradually settled into the match but remained vulnerable on the counter, with Djiku making a timely intervention to stop another dangerous Ivory Coast attack.
Brandon Thomas-Asante also had an opportunity to threaten on the break, but he slipped as the hosts recovered defensively.
Ivory Coast eventually broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Malick Yalcouye produced a powerful finish following sustained pressure.
Ghana went into the break 1-0 down without managing a shot on target.
The hosts continued to control proceedings after the restart and came close to extending their lead when Diomandé sent a dangerous low cross across the Ghanaian penalty area.
Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute after Fatawu Issahaku brought down Yalcouye inside the box.
Kessie stepped up two minutes later and calmly converted to double the hosts’ advantage.
Queiroz responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Benjamin Tetteh, Augustine Boakye and Felix Afena-Gyan for Nuamah, Thomas-Asante and Baah-Bonsu in an effort to strengthen Ghana’s attack.
The Black Stars suffered another setback when captain Djiku was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Jonas Adjetey.
Ibrahim Sulemana also entered the game for Kojo Oppong Peprah.
Ivory Coast comfortably managed the closing stages despite some late pressure from Ghana.
A promising move involving Tetteh and Boakye broke down, while Tetteh failed to connect cleanly with a free-kick delivered by Gideon Mensah.
Afena-Gyan also missed an opportunity to reduce the deficit as Ghana’s late efforts failed to produce a goal.
The Black Stars finished the match with only two shots on target as Ivory Coast secured a convincing opening victory.
The result puts the Elephants top of Group C with three points, while Ghana remain bottom ahead of the meeting between Somalia and Gambia.
Ghana will now return home to face Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, as they continue their campaign to qualify for the 2027 AFCON after missing the previous tournament in Morocco.
