Black Stars Suffer 2-0 Defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in AFCON 2027 Qualifier
The Black Stars conceded once in each half as the Elephants secured all three points in Bouaké.
- Ghana suffer 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire
- Yalcouyé and Kessié score for Elephants
- Black Stars face The Gambia next
Ghana’s Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group C fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
The Elephants took the lead shortly before half-time when debutant Malick Yalcouyé found space on the edge of the penalty area and fired past Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the 44th minute.
Ghana returned from the break hoping to level the score but conceded a second goal in the 58th minute after Côte d’Ivoire were awarded a penalty following a foul on Yalcouyé.
Côte d’Ivoire captain Franck Kessié stepped up to convert the spot-kick and double the hosts’ advantage.
The Black Stars tried to fight their way back into the game, with coach Carlos Queiroz introducing Felix Afena-Gyan, Augustine Boakye and Benjamin Tetteh in an attempt to change the outcome.
However, Ghana struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper Yahia Fofana making an important save to deny Caleb Yirenkyi in the 76th minute.
The Black Stars were also missing several key players, including Mohammed Kudus, while Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo withdrew from the squad due to injuries.
The defeat leaves Ghana without a point from their opening Group C fixture, while Côte d’Ivoire take all three points.
Ghana will now shift their attention to their next qualifier against The Gambia on September 29, as they look to bounce back from the defeat.
