Ghana will begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a difficult away fixture against three-time champions Ivory Coast in Bouaké on today.
The Black Stars will face the Elephants at the Stade de la Paix in what will be new head coach Carlos Queiroz’s first competitive match in charge of the national team.
Ghana go into the encounter under pressure after missing out on the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The Black Stars finished bottom of their qualifying group after recording three draws and three defeats against Angola, Sudan and Niger.
Their preparations have also been disrupted by a number of player withdrawals, with captain Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Alidu Seidu and Prince Kwabena Adu among those unavailable for the opening qualifier.
Queiroz has responded by calling on a number of experienced and emerging players, including defender Alexander Djiku, while Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Sulemana, Felix Afena-Gyan and Ibrahim Osman are also expected to feature prominently.
The Portuguese coach will be looking to bring organisation and discipline to the Black Stars as they seek a positive result away from home.
Ivory Coast will also be starting a new chapter, with French coach Hervé Renard returning to the Elephants for a second spell.
Renard previously guided Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON title in Equatorial Guinea, ending the country’s 23-year wait for the continental trophy.
The Elephants have since won a third AFCON title, lifting the trophy on home soil in 2023 under Emerse Faé.
Renard has now been tasked with guiding the three-time African champions through another qualification campaign, beginning with Thursday’s meeting with Ghana.
Ivory Coast will be without several attacking options, including Evann Guessand and Omar Diakité, while Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is unavailable through injury.
Renard can, however, rely on a strong squad featuring goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, defender Ousmane Diomande and captain Franck Kessié.
With Sébastien Haller absent, Yan Diomandé is expected to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility.
For Ghana, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare is expected to start, with Djiku, Adjetey and Gideon Mensah among the defensive options.
Brandon Thomas-Asante could lead the attack, supported by Ernest Nuamah and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku from the wide areas.
Ivory Coast’s recent record reads three wins and three defeats in their last six matches, while Ghana have recorded two defeats, two draws and two wins over the same period.
The Black Stars enter Thursday’s encounter on a two-match losing streak.
The last meeting between the two sides ended in a goalless draw.
Ivory Coast: Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Diomande, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Inao; Pépé, Bonny, Yan Diomande.
Ghana: Asare; Oppong, Djiku, Adjetey, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Sibo, Donkor; Issahaku, Thomas-Asante, Nuamah.
