Ghana: Black Stars AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule

After missing the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Ghana know that qualifying for AFCON 2027 is an absolute priority. But the campaign has started in the worst possible way, with a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Ivory Coast. Group, fixtures, squad news, key players and qualification chances: here is everything you need to know about the Black Stars' road to AFCON 2027.

Ghana's AFCON 2027 qualifying group

Ghana have been drawn in a group with:

• Ivory Coast
• The Gambia
• Somalia

There is no host nation in this group, so the top two teams will qualify for the finals, which will be played from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Black Stars fixtures

• Matchday 1: Ivory Coast vs Ghana, Thursday 24 September 2026, Stade de la Paix, Bouaké (2-0)
• Matchday 2: Ghana vs The Gambia, Tuesday 29 September 2026, Accra Sports Stadium
• Matchdays 3 and 4: double-header against Somalia, November 2026
• Matchday 5: Ghana vs Ivory Coast, March 2027
• Matchday 6: The Gambia vs Ghana, March 2027

Exact dates, venues and kick-off times for the November and March matches are still to be confirmed. The September window ends with a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on 4 October.

Carlos Queiroz is back

Ghana's campaign marks the return of experienced coach Carlos Queiroz to the Black Stars' bench. He kept the core of the squad that represented Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, including goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, defenders Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah and Baba Rahman, and midfielders Kwasi Sibo and Caleb Yirenkyi.

Before the Ivory Coast game, Queiroz insisted Ghana were travelling to compete, not just to develop young players, while also backing the new generation to seize their chance.

Squad news: a long injury list

Ghana have been badly hit by withdrawals. Some of their biggest names are missing through injury:

• Jordan Ayew, the captain
• Antoine Semenyo
• Mohammed Kudus
• Thomas Partey

In their absence, Alexander Djiku wore the armband in Bouaké, and several younger players have been given the chance to step up, including Augustine Boakye.

Ivory Coast 2-0 Ghana: what happened

With a reshuffled attack led by Brandon Thomas, supported by Christopher Bonsu Baah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Ernest Nuamah, Ghana struggled to cope with Ivory Coast's intensity. Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring for the hosts with a powerful strike from outside the box, before captain Franck Kessié doubled the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half, after a disputed challenge that Ghana's players strongly contested. The Black Stars created a few late chances, but never looked like getting back into the game.

Key players to watch

• Alexander Djiku, the leader of the defence and stand-in captain
• Ernest Nuamah, Ghana's most dangerous attacking outlet
• Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, pace and creativity on the wing
• Christopher Bonsu Baah, one of the rising stars of the squad
• Benjamin Asare, in goal

Ghana's opponents

Ivory Coast: the favourites of the group, now under Hervé Renard, took an early advantage by winning the first leg. The return match in March 2027 could decide who finishes first.

The Gambia: a well-organised side capable of causing problems. Ghana's home game against them in Accra is already a must-win.

Somalia: on paper the weakest team in the group. Ghana must collect six points from the November double-header.

Can Ghana qualify?

Despite the defeat in Bouaké, Ghana's chances remain strong: with two tickets available, second place is enough to qualify. The key will be winning at home against The Gambia, taking maximum points against Somalia, and getting key players back from injury. A good result against Ivory Coast in March would be a bonus.

Ghana results

This section is updated after every match.

• Matchday 1: Ivory Coast 2-0 Ghana (Yalcouyé, Kessié pen.)
• Matchday 2: Ghana vs The Gambia: to come

Read more

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