AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Côte dâ??Ivoire and Ghana renew West African renew rivalry in Bouaké

Ghana and Ivory Coast share more than just borders but a rich football history and rivalry, and with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations opening with an epic encounter between the two nations, the world will stop for 90 minutes expecting a fiercely contested game. 

Both countries head into the opening AFCON qualifier following a decent 2026 World Cup campaign, with Ghana and Ivory Coast reaching the knockout stages. While the Ivorians were knocked out by Erling Haaland's Norway at the round of 32, Ghana exited the same stage after losing 1-0 to Colombia.

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.

The last time the two nations met was in a friendly in 2021, a game that introduced many to Manchester United forward Amad Diallo. The game ended in a goalless stalemate.

Meanwhile, 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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