Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns with a major West African encounter at the Stade de la Paix de Bouake.
The Group C fixture marks Herve Renard’s return to the Cote d’Ivoire bench, although the Elephants go into the opening match with several important players unavailable or doubtful. Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has also had to make late changes to his squad after a series of withdrawals.
Cote d’Ivoire
Wilfried Singo has been ruled out for the opening game, while Odilon Kossounou and Guela Doue remain doubts after recently returning from injury.
The hosts will also be without Seko Fofana and Amad Diallo. Both players are still recovering, depriving Renard of two significant options in midfield and attack.
Despite those absences, Renard has spoken positively about the players at his disposal, describing the squad as being of “high quality” as he sets out his ambitions with the Elephants. His appointment as Cote d’Ivoire manager has been welcomed ahead of the start of the qualifying campaign.
The probable Cote d’Ivoire line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Yahia Fofana
Defenders: Guela Doue, Evan Ndicka, Ousmane Diomande, Ghislain Konan
Midfielders: Christ Inao Oulai, Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie
Forwards: Nicolas Pepe, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande
Ghana
Ghana have faced similar difficulties in the build-up to the match. Queiroz was forced to reshape his squad only days before kick-off and called up nine additional players to cover the available absences.
Marvin Senaya and Kamaldeen Sulemana will miss the match through injury. Thomas Partey is also unavailable, while Mohammed Kudus has left the national-team camp to continue his recovery with Tottenham.
The probable Ghana line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Lawrence Ati Zigi
Defenders: Nathaniel Adjei, Alidu Seidu, Jerome Opoku, Gideon Mensah
Midfielders: Caleb Yirenkyi, Kwasi Sibo, Ibrahim Sulemana
Forwards: Ernest Nuamah, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo
The match offers both sides the chance to make an immediate start in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, with the encounter bringing together two of Africa’s major football nations.
Pre-match odds listed Cote d’Ivoire as favourites at 1.67, with a draw priced at 3.60 and a Ghana victory at 4.75.