Ghana’s Black Stars began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Thursday.
Coach Carlos Queiroz handed debuts to Kojo Oppong Peprah, Christopher Bonsu Baah and Brandon Thomas-Asante as Ghana looked to make a positive start in Group C.
Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwasi Sibo formed the midfield partnership, while Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah and Bonsu Baah supported Thomas-Asante in attack.
The two sides produced a fairly even first half, but Côte d’Ivoire took the lead just before the break.
Debutant Malick Yalcouyé found space on the edge of the Ghana penalty area and fired a powerful effort past Lawrence Ati-Zigi to put the hosts 1-0 ahead at half-time.
Ghana needed an early response after the break, but their task became more difficult when Côte d’Ivoire were awarded a penalty following a foul on Yalcouyé.
Captain Franck Yannick Kessié stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to double the Elephants’ lead.
Queiroz responded with attacking changes, bringing on Felix Afena-Gyan, Augustine Boakye and Benjamin Tetteh as Ghana searched for a way back into the game.
The Black Stars came close to reducing the deficit in the 76th minute when Yirenkyi’s effort from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Tetteh also saw an effort blocked by the home defence after connecting with a cross from Fatawu Issahaku, while Boakye later sent a curling effort narrowly across the face of goal.
Ghana were dealt another setback when captain Alexander Djiku was forced off through injury, with Jonas Adjetey replacing him. Ibrahim Sulemana also came on for Oppong Peprah.
The defeat leaves Ghana without a point from their opening Group C fixture.
The Black Stars will now look to bounce back when they host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29, 2026.
