Ghana’s Black Stars will begin their campaign in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a challenging away fixture against Côte d’Ivoire.
The two West African giants are scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Stade de la Paix de Bouaké in Côte d’Ivoire.
The match is set to kick off at 19:00 GMT, with both sides expected to battle for a crucial result as they seek to secure qualification for the continental showpiece.
The encounter will be officiated by renowned Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal, who has been appointed as the centre referee for the fixture.
Ghana will be looking to make a strong start to the qualifying campaign, while Côte d’Ivoire will have the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters in Bouaké.
The fixture is expected to attract significant attention given the history and rivalry between the two footballing countries with both sides boasting a strong tradition on the African football scene.
The Black Stars will therefore be aiming for a positive result away from home as they begin their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The September 24 encounter is expected to be a key early test for Ghana as the team seeks to secure a place among Africa’s leading nations at the next AFCON tournament.
The fixture headlines matchday action in Group C, where Ghana have been paired with the reigning African champions alongside The Gambia and Somalia.
It represents an immediate and significant challenge for a Black Stars side determined to atone for their absence from the 2025 tournament in Morocco, where Ghana finished bottom of their qualifying group without a single win.