Ivory Coast host Ghana in Bouake for their opening match of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. (Photo: standardmedia.co.ke)
The former African champions meet in Bouake, with Ghana missing injured midfielder Mohammed Kudus for their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier.
Ivory Coast are set to welcome Ghana to Bouake in a high-profile opening fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, bringing coaches Herve Renard and Carlos Queiroz into direct competition.
According to The Standard, the meeting between the former African champions is the standout contest among 24 matchday-one fixtures. It pairs an Ivory Coast side with three continental titles against four-time winners Ghana, whose most recent triumph came in 1982.
The hosts enter the campaign with Renard back in charge, while Queiroz faces another examination of the defensive organisation he has brought to Ghana.
Renard returns to familiar territory
Renard has a strong connection with the Ivorian national team, having guided them to their second African championship. His continental record also includes Zambia’s unexpected title victory in 2012.
The Standard reports that his return followed Ivory Coast’s decision not to extend the contract of Emerse Fae, who led the country to the 2024 AFCON title. Fae’s departure came after a last-32 defeat by Norway at the 2026 World Cup.
Renard’s coaching career has included club assignments in France, England and Vietnam, although much of his work has been with national teams. His previous roles include Angola, Morocco, two spells with Saudi Arabia, France’s women’s team and Tunisia.
He took over Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup after Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed following a 5-1 loss to Sweden, the report says. Tunisia subsequently lost to Japan and the Netherlands under Renard.
Ghana defence faces attacking test
Queiroz arrived in the Ghana job shortly before the 2026 World Cup. The Standard credits him with making a struggling side more competitive and defensively disciplined, noting that Ghana were the only team to prevent England from scoring.
That resilience will be challenged by Ivory Coast’s attacking options, which the report identifies as including Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande and Newcastle’s Bazoumana Toure.
Ghana will be without injured Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus. His withdrawal removes an important creative option for Queiroz, with the player having also missed the World Cup.
Queiroz, whose career includes managing Real Madrid and serving twice as Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United, has come close to an African title. He led Egypt to the 2022 final, where they lost a penalty shootout to Senegal. A suspension meant he watched that match from the stands.
Coaching changes frame qualifying campaign
The fixture comes against a backdrop of widespread coaching turnover among Africa’s World Cup representatives. According to The Standard, only four of the 10 coaches who started the 2026 tournament with African qualifiers remain in their posts.
Alongside Queiroz, those retained are Egypt’s Hossam Hassan, Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Sebastien Desabre. For Ghana and Ivory Coast, the opening qualifier now shifts attention back to continental competition.
