Ivory Coast vs Ghana na di match wey dey open Group C action for Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification tonight. Di two nations, ranked 31st and 65th for di world respectively, dey expected to seal a place for next summer finals wey Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania go host. As home side, Cote D’Ivoire go start as slight favourites for dia first competitive outing since dem lose World Cup last-32 clash against Norway for summer.
Herve Renard don return for second spell as head coach. He name squad wey pack with youth and experience. Ghana don collect double blow before tonight showdown as captain Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo withdraw from squad because of injury. Dis mean head coach Carlos Queiroz go dey without three of Black Stars’ best attackers as Mohammed Kudus no dey called up despite return to fitness.
For Stade de Bouake, inside Bouake, Ivory Coast, di match kick off Thursday, September 24, 7pm (19:00 GMT). Al Jazeera Sport go get live build-up from 16:00 GMT before text commentary stream. The Gambia and Somalia complete Group C. For next round, Ghana go entertain The Gambia on Tuesday, while Ivory Coast go travel to Somalia.
Ivory Coast task clear: win AFCON 2027. Elephants don win di trophy three times. Dem beat Ghana on penalties for 1992 final for dia first continental crown. Renard 2015 victory also see Ghana defeated, again by penalties. Dia most recent win come for 2023 edition when dem beat Nigeria 2-1 on home soil.
Ghana na four-time winners but dem no lift di trophy since 1982. Alongside 1992 and 2015 defeats by Ivory Coast, dem lose 2010 edition to Egypt. Last meeting between di sides come for friendly for 2021, and like 2015 AFCON final, e end 0-0. Previous competitive meeting see Ivory Coast win 3-1 for round-of-16 match for AFCON 2010. Dis one na 38th meeting between di border-sharing nations, with Ghana winning 15 and Ivory Coast winning 10.
For team news, Diallo na prominent absentee for Ivory Coast as di forward dey recover from injury. Evann Guessand and Omar Diakite no dey Renard 25-man squad. Fofana; Doue, Koussounou, O Diomande, Konan; Kessie, Sangare, Inao; Pepe, Bonny, Y Diomande. Injuries don strip Ghana squad of many leading names, including captain Ayew. Loss of Semenyo and Kudus na even greater blows, di latter having missed 2026 World Cup with hamstring injury.
For live match, 28 min: Ghana come forward again and Nuamah do well to work space for shot but effort blocked. He and Thomas-Asante dey carry threat for visitors. 26 min: Pepe draw foul from Mensah. Free-kick for hosts, taken by Diomande and worked well for Pepe but he can’t cut ball back into dangerous area and Mensah end up winning foul for Ghana.
23 min: After being under cosh during early stages, Ghana slowly grab foothold. Sibo blast shot over bar, but encouraging signs from Black Stars. 21 min: Ghana nearly hit Ivory Coast against run of play as Nuamah spot Fofana off his line but can’t get chipped effort right as ball drifts wide of post.
19 min: Pepe come close to breaking deadlock twice in matter of seconds. First his cheeky flick easily saved by Ati-Zigi and then former Arsenal winger curl effort just wide. 16 min: Rare Ghana chance from free-kick but Fofana no seriously tested and he try set Ivory Coast on attack, only end up conceding possession.
13 min: Ball almost fall kindly for Pepe but winger can’t adjust feet in box to collect Diomande pass. 11 min: All Ivory Coast at moment as Yacoulye have shot from edge of box deflected behind for corner. Once again, Diomande dey heart of that attack. 9 min: Diomande do well down left, cut inside but shoot into side-netting. 8 min: Yan Diomande in possession and Ivory Coast fans on dia feet cheering. Real Madrid star nearly provide moment to remember but his solo run halted.
