Ghana’s Black Stars begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a difficult assignment against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24, as a growing injury list forces Carlos Queiroz to reshape his plans.
The Group C clash at the Stade de la Paix pits two former African champions against each other at the start of a qualifying campaign that will run through March 2027. Ghana will host The Gambia on September 29, while Côte d’Ivoire face Somalia.
Ghana’s preparations have been disrupted by late withdrawals. Mohammed Kudus, initially recalled after missing the 2026 World Cup through a seven-month injury layoff, has opted to continue his recovery rather than join the Black Stars. Antoine Semenyo has also withdrawn with an ankle problem, while reports on Tuesday indicate captain Jordan Ayew is also doubtful with a knee injury. Baba Rahman has separately withdrawn through injury.
Those absences leave Queiroz looking towards Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ibrahim Osman, Christopher Bonsu Baah and Prince Adu Kwabena for attacking inspiration. The coach has already introduced fresh options, with Jan Gyamerah and Ronald Donkor among the players rewarded with call-ups after good club form.
Ghana’s recent competitive experience provides some encouragement. Queiroz guided the Black Stars to the 2026 World Cup knockout stage, where their campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, are also beginning a new chapter. Hervé Renard has returned for his second spell in charge and named a 25-man squad containing eight newcomers. However, the Elephants are without injured Amad Diallo and Wilfried Singo, while several established players, including Sébastien Haller and Simon Adingra, are absent.
Renard’s experience gives the encounter another dimension. He won the AFCON with Zambia in 2012 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2015, and previously worked with Ghana as part of Claude Le Roy’s technical team.
The Ivorians retain significant quality through players such as Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Evan Ndicka and Ousmane Diomandé, while Nicolas Pépé and Elye Wahi offer attacking threats.
Historically, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have produced closely contested encounters. Their most famous recent meeting was the 2015 AFCON final, which Côte d’Ivoire won on penalties after a goalless draw. The teams also drew 0-0 in their most recent meeting, a 2021 friendly in Cape Coast.
With both sides undergoing changes, Thursday’s encounter carries significance beyond the opening three points. It will test Ghana’s squad depth and Queiroz’s ability to adapt, while offering Renard an immediate competitive examination of his rebuilding project.
For Ghana, the challenge is to negotiate Bouaké without several key players and establish a strong foundation in Group C. For Côte d’Ivoire, home advantage and the beginning of Renard’s new cycle add further expectations to an already highly anticipated West African encounter.