The Black Stars of Ghana are set to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with Ghana’s new-look technical team preparing for a challenging opening fixture.
Ghana will travel to Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, for the Group C encounter before returning home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
The upcoming double-header marks the beginning of another AFCON qualification journey for the four-time African champions under head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Ghana begins AFCON journey against Côte d’Ivoire
The Black Stars were drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
The opening fixture against Côte d’Ivoire is expected to attract significant attention because of the history between the two West African football nations and the importance of starting the qualification campaign strongly.
The match will take place in Bouaké on Thursday, September 24, before Ghana hosts The Gambia five days later in Accra.
The Ghana Football Association has already opened the accreditation process for journalists and photographers travelling to Côte d’Ivoire for the match.
Queiroz reshapes the Black Stars squad
Carlos Queiroz has begun making adjustments to the squad ahead of the qualifiers.
The Ghana Football Association announced that nine additional players had been added to the squad following medical and availability updates.
The additions include defenders Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan and Rockson Yeboah, midfielder Rahim Ibrahim, and forwards Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan.
The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on September 21 and continued training as preparations intensified for the two qualifiers.
The changes give Queiroz additional options as he works to manage player availability before the trip to Côte d’Ivoire.
Godwin Attram joins technical team
The GFA has also strengthened the Black Stars’ technical structure by appointing former Ghana international Godwin Attram as assistant coach.
Attram replaces Desmond Ofei, who will focus exclusively on his role with Ghana’s U-23 side, the Black Meteors.
The former PSV Eindhoven and Silkeborg IF midfielder brings previous coaching experience to the senior national team setup.
His appointment comes just days before Ghana’s opening AFCON qualifier.
What is at stake for Ghana?
The 2027 AFCON tournament will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and Ghana’s route to the competition begins with four Group C matches.
The Black Stars will need to navigate a group containing Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
According to the GFA, Queiroz has already identified the upcoming qualifiers as an important part of building the team for its next phase.
The Portuguese coach has also spoken about his ambition to build a stronger Ghana team and compete successfully at the continental level.
Ghana’s next two matches
The schedule gives Ghana little time between its opening fixtures.
After travelling to Bouaké for the Côte d’Ivoire game on September 24, the Black Stars will return home to host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
The team is then scheduled to face Morocco in an international friendly in Tangier on October 4.
The sequence provides Queiroz with several competitive opportunities to assess his squad and continue shaping the team.
Fans wait for the new Black Stars chapter
Interest in the national team is expected to build as Thursday’s match approaches.
With a new phase beginning under Queiroz, the Côte d’Ivoire fixture will provide the first competitive test of the team’s preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana’s performance in Bouaké will also set the tone for the home fixture against The Gambia five days later.
For football fans, the countdown has now begun.
Black Stars Face Côte d’Ivoire in Crucial AFCON 2027 Qualifier – Key details at a glance
- Match: Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
- Competition: 2027 AFCON Qualifier
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Venue: Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
- Ghana coach: Carlos Queiroz
- Group: Group C
- Other group opponents: The Gambia and Somalia
- Next Ghana match: Ghana vs The Gambia, September 29
- Next friendly: Morocco vs Ghana, October 4
- Technical addition: Godwin Attram appointed assistant coach
- Additional players: Nine players added to the squad
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Ghana play Côte d’Ivoire?
The Black Stars will face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Bouaké.
Who is Ghana’s coach?
Carlos Queiroz is the current head coach of the Black Stars after being reappointed by the Ghana Football Association earlier this month.
Who is Ghana playing after Côte d’Ivoire?
Ghana will host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29, 2026.
Which teams are in Ghana’s AFCON qualifying group?
Ghana is in Group C with Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.
The Black Stars now have just days to complete their preparations before beginning their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in Bouaké.
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