Cote d’Ivoire begin 2027 AFCON campaign against Ghana with Bouake advantage

The Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana meet in Bouake on Thursday as 48 teams begin their pursuit of places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which is nine months away. Kick-off at Stade de la paix is scheduled for 19:00 GMT on 24 September 2026.

Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on radio Nostalgie, expects Cote d’Ivoire’s home advantage to prove decisive in this Group C opener. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be the first major assignment of a new cycle for the hosts.

New era for Cote d’Ivoire

Herve Renard has returned as head coach after winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with Cote d’Ivoire. He replaced Emerse Fae and his staff following a World Cup campaign that ended in the round of 16.

Renard’s first squad, announced on 16 August, included eight uncapped players, representing about one-third of the team. Among them are Parisien Patrick Zabi and Brighton player Malick Yalcouye, who has impressed at the start of the season. Their inclusion follows the international retirements of Jean-Mickael Seri and Seko Fofana.

The manager will still rely on established players including Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Ghislain Konan, Evan Ndicka and Nicolas Pepe. Amad Diallo and Wilfried Singo are unavailable through injury.

Cote d’Ivoire have lost only twice in 20 years in Bouake, against Guinea and Gabon during the difficult period of 2016-17. They will also have the backing of a passionate home crowd, which played an important role in the quarter-final against Mali at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The hosts have scored at least once in each of their past 13 matches in all competitions, although they remain without a settled number nine.

Ghana seeking a result

For Ghana, avoiding defeat against their main Group C rivals is the immediate priority. A draw would also represent a positive result for the Black Stars, who missed the most recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after first-round exits at the previous two editions.

Carlos Queiroz, the 73-year-old Portuguese, remains in charge after Ghana’s acceptable World Cup campaign, which ended with a 1-0 defeat by Colombia in the round of 16.

The squad includes most of the team’s established players, but Inaki Williams has retired from international football and Thomas Partey is also absent. Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, Antoine Semenyo and Mohamed Kudus are expected to feature.

Despite their attacking options, Ghana have scored no more than once in each of their past 11 matches in all competitions.

Recent major meetings have favoured Cote d’Ivoire. The Elephants won the 1992 and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals after both ended 0-0 and were decided by penalty shoot-outs. They also beat Ghana 4-2 in the 2008 third-place play-off and 3-1 in the 2010 group stage. Their most recent meeting, a friendly in June 2021, finished 0-0.

Yan Diomande and Antoine Semenyo are the leading attacking hopes. Diomande has had a slow start adapting to Real Madrid, while Semenyo has made an immediate impact at Manchester City, with two goals and three assists in five Premier League appearances.

The listed 1xBet odds make Cote d’Ivoire 1.67 to win, with 1.66 for both teams not to score. A 1-0 result is priced at 5, Nicolas Pepe to score at any time at 4.1, and a Cote d’Ivoire win on corners at 1.34.

The match will be shown live on NCI, La3 and Canal+Sports Afrique. Odds may change.