AFCON 2027Q: Black Stars open campaign with defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouaké
The defeat leaves Ghana at the bottom of Group C ahead of Friday's meeting between The Gambia and Somalia.
Ghana's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign began with a loss as the Black Stars fell 2-0 to Ivory Coast in Bouaké. Malick Yalcouye put Ivory Coast ahead in the 29th minute, followed by Frank Kessie's penalty in the 56th minute. The defeat left Ghana at the bottom of Group C, ahead of The Gambia and Somalia's match on Friday.
The Black Stars entered the game to return to the continental showpiece after missing the previous Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 20 years. However, they struggled to create clear opportunities against a controlled Ivory Coast team. The Black Stars were missing several key players due to injuries, including captain Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey.
Brandon Thomas led the attack, with Christopher Bonsu Baah, Fatawu Issahaku, and Ernest Nuamah supporting him. Ghana created little during the first half, but Nuamah got close to scoring in the 20th minute. Yalcouye scored the first goal in the 29th minute, converting a powerful effort from outside the box. Kessie equalized in the 56th minute from the penalty spot after a controversial decision by the referee.
Ghana failed to register a shot on target and conceded 62% possession. Carlos Queiroz made a triple substitution in the 64th minute, but Ghana couldn't find a way back into the match. They registered their first efforts on target in the 80th minute, but it wasn't enough to reverse the result. Ghana will regroup ahead of their next Group C fixture against The Gambia on September 29.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
