After two months since the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, international football returns with some mouthwatering clashes in Africa.
The game between Ghana and Ivory Coast will take centre stage due to the enormity of the rivalry between the two sides.
Bouake, Ivory Coast's second largest city will host the epic encounter as the race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins.
Ghana shares the border to the west with Ivory Coast and fans are expected to travel in large numbers to support the Black Stars. Meanwhile, there is also a huge Ghanaian community in Abidjan that is expected to make the short trip to central Ivorian city.
Ahead of the game in Bouake, the stakes remain high as the Black Stars look to bounce back from the disappointment of missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the next edition. Meanwhile, they would have to get off to a good start at their neighbours.
Ghana and Ivory Coast last met in a friendly in 2021, a game that introduced many to Manchester United forward Amad Diallo. The game ended in a goalless stalemate.
The two sides have met 36 times in football, with Ghana edging Ivory Coast with 13 wins. The Ivorians have won 12 of those encounters with 11 ending in draw.
However, the Black Stars are still reeling in pain from the two most painful defeats to Ivory Coast. In 1992 and 2015, Ghana lost the AFCON title to Ivory Coast following penalty shootout defeats.
Although, the last meeting between Ghana and Ivory Coast outdoored Diallo, the United winger will miss tonight's game alongside Odilon Kossounou.
But new coach Herve Renard, who was in charge when Ivory Coast beat Ghana in the 2015 AFCON final, will have no worries as the Black Stars arrive in Abidjan with a depleted side.
Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew all pulled out of the team for the trip due to injury concerns.
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