Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice-president George Afriyie has urged the Black Stars to approach their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire as if it were a final.
Ghana begin their qualifying campaign away to the Elephants at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September, before returning home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
Ahead of the game, Afriyie believes the opening fixture could set the tone for Ghana’s bid to secure an immediate return to Africa’s biggest football tournament after missing out on qualification for the 2025 finals in Morocco.
“Our first match against Côte d’Ivoire is very dicey and difficult; we must approach it like the final,” Afriyie told Graphic Sports.
“But for me, I think that we should just prepare well. We must not repeat the mistakes of 2024 that caused us to miss qualification.”
The Black Stars endured one of the most disappointing campaigns in their history when they failed to qualify for the previous AFCON, ending a run of appearances at the continental showpiece.
Now placed in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, Ghana will be expected to challenge for one of the qualifying places as they look to rebuild under new coach Carlos Queiroz.
The away trip to Bouaké is likely to be the toughest test of the campaign, with reigning African heavyweights Côte d’Ivoire providing a stern opening challenge before Ghana host The Gambia in Accra.
The Black Stars will also face Somalia during the group stage as they seek to book their place at the 2027 tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.