Ghana face an attacking test in Bouake without injured Mohammed Kudus as Herve Renard begins Ivory Coast’s qualifying campaign against Carlos Queiroz.
Ivory Coast host Ghana in Bouake today in a meeting of former African champions as qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins, with Herve Renard and Carlos Queiroz directing the two sides.
The West African encounter headlines a programme of 24 opening-round fixtures. It brings together an Ivory Coast team under a returning title-winning coach and a Ghana side whose defensive organisation improved under Queiroz at the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana enter the campaign seeking a return to continental success after a lengthy wait. The Black Stars have lifted the AFCON trophy four times, but their most recent triumph came in 1982. Ivory Coast have won the competition three times.
Renard returns to familiar territory
Renard was responsible for the second of Ivory Coast’s African titles 11 years ago. His return followed the decision not to renew Emerse Fae’s contract after the team’s World Cup campaign ended against Norway in the last 32.
Fae had guided Ivory Coast to the 2024 AFCON crown, but Renard now takes responsibility for their next qualifying campaign.
The Frenchman also won the continental championship with Zambia in 2012, delivering one of the tournament’s most unexpected title successes. His experience across African national teams includes spells with Angola and Morocco, alongside his work with Ivory Coast and Tunisia.
Renard took over Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup after Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed following a 5-1 defeat by Sweden. Tunisia subsequently lost to Japan and the Netherlands under his leadership.
Ghana’s defence faces another examination
Queiroz assumed control of Ghana shortly before the World Cup and turned a struggling side into a more competitive, defensively disciplined team. Ghana were the only side to prevent England from scoring at the tournament.
That resilience faces a fresh examination against Ivory Coast. Renard’s attacking options include Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande and Newcastle’s Bazoumana Toure, giving the hosts forward choices capable of testing Ghana’s back line.
The visitors will be without Mohammed Kudus, who withdrew through injury. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder also missed the World Cup, leaving Ghana without his creativity for another significant international assignment.
Queiroz brings extensive experience to the contest, having managed Real Madrid and served twice as an assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. His closest approach to an AFCON title came with Egypt in 2022, when they lost the final to Senegal on penalties. A suspension meant he watched that match from the stands.
Coaching changes reshape the qualifying picture
The opening fixtures come after considerable turnover among the coaches involved with African teams at the 2026 World Cup. Only four of the 10 who started the tournament 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 the two teams meeting in Bouake, the contrast is clear: Ghana have kept the coach who strengthened their World Cup performances, while Ivory Coast have turned back to a manager with a proven record of delivering continental titles.
