Ghana suffered a disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast in Bouaké on Thursday.
Malick Yalcouye opened the scoring late in the first half before Franck Kessie doubled the hosts’ lead from the penalty spot.
Carlos Queiroz’s side struggled to control the game for long periods as Ivory Coast dominated possession and created the better chances.
Ghana had the first clear sight of goal when Ernest Nuamah fired wide from outside the box after spotting goalkeeper Yahia Fofana off his line.
Ivory Coast soon began to take control. Nicolas Pepe tested Lawrence Ati Zigi after cutting inside, before the hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 44th minute.
Yalcouye collected the ball outside the box and unleashed a powerful right footed effort. The shot beat Ati Zigi at his near post and gave Ivory Coast the lead at half time.
Ghana Struggle to Find A Way Back
The Black Stars tried to respond after the break, but Ivory Coast’s organised defence made it difficult for Ghana to create clear openings.
The hosts then won a penalty in the 58th minute after Yalcouye went down following a challenge from Fatawu Issahaku inside the box.
Ghana’s players protested the decision, but the referee pointed to the spot. Kessie stepped up and calmly converted to put Ivory Coast 2-0 ahead.
Queiroz responded with three changes in the 64th minute. Felix Afena Gyan, Benjamin Tetteh and Augustine Boakye replaced Nuamah, Brandon Thomas Asante and Christopher Bonsu Baah.
The substitutions gave Ghana more urgency in attack. Tetteh and Yirenkyi both tested the Ivorian defence as the Black Stars pushed for a way back into the game.
Afena Gyan and Boakye also came close during stoppage time. However, Ghana could not beat Fofana as Ivory Coast held on for a comfortable victory.
The defeat again exposed Ghana’s problems in front of goal under Queiroz. The Black Stars have created attacking moments, but they continue to struggle to turn those chances into goals.
Ghana scored only twice during the 2026 World Cup group stage. They also failed to register a shot on target in their Round of 32 defeat by Colombia.
Against Ivory Coast, Ghana managed two shots on target, but neither threatened to change the result.
Under Queiroz, Ghana have recorded only eight shots on target and created five big chances across five competitive matches.
The result leaves Ghana bottom of Group C after the opening round of fixtures. The Gambia and Somalia are still to play their first match.
Ghana will look to respond when they host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.
