2027 AFCONQ: Black Stars Will Face Ivory Coast Without Fear – Kurt Okraku
GFA boss Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars have overcome past psychological setbacks and are ready to challenge the Elephants in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- Black Stars ready to face Ivory Coast
- Okraku says past psychological barriers are gone
- Ghana aims to return to AFCON finals
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars will approach their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Ivory Coast with confidence.
Ghana will open its qualifying campaign against the Elephants in September, with Okraku insisting the team has overcome the psychological barriers that previously affected its performances in crucial matches.
According to him, the Black Stars’ recent resurgence has given the squad the confidence needed to compete against strong opposition.
Okraku said the team no longer carries the burden of past disappointments and will travel to Ivory Coast determined to compete.
He was speaking in an interview ahead of the Group C encounter, scheduled for September 24, 2026, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT.
Ghana reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, and the GFA president believes that experience can provide a strong foundation for the AFCON qualifiers.
The Black Stars missed the previous AFCON tournament in Morocco and are now aiming to secure a return to the continental competition.
Ghana’s Group C opponents also include Somalia and The Gambia.
