Ghana v Ivory Coast: Black Stars Beaten 2-0 in Bouaké

Ghana v Ivory Coast ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Black Stars in Bouaké on 24 September 2026. The hosts led 1-0 at half-time and sealed the result with a second-half penalty. It was Ghana’s first game of the AFCON qualifying group stage.

What happened in Ghana v Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0 at the Stade de la Paix, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT. Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring in the 44th minute, and Franck Kessié added a penalty in the 58th. Mustapha Ghorbal refereed the match.

How did the match unfold?

The first half was tight and physical. Brandon Thomas-Asante was booked for dissent in the 34th minute. Then, just before the break, Kessié set up Yalcouyé to put the hosts ahead in the 44th minute. Yalcouyé was booked in added time.

After the restart, Christopher Bonsu Baah also received a yellow card for dissent in the 56th minute. Two minutes later, Kessié scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. As a result, Ghana needed two goals with roughly half an hour left.

Carlos Queiroz reacted with five substitutions. In the 64th minute, Augustine Boakye replaced Bonsu Baah, Felix Afena-Gyan came on for Thomas-Asante, and Benjamin Tetteh replaced Ernest Nuamah. Then, in the 71st minute, Jonas Adjetey replaced Alexander Djiku and Ibrahim Sulemana replaced Kojo Peprah Oppong. However, the Black Stars could not find a way back.

What did the match statistics show?

Ivory Coast controlled the ball, with 59% possession to Ghana’s 41%. They also completed 448 of 510 passes, against 298 of 354 for Ghana. Still, the shot count was close: Ivory Coast had 12 shots and Ghana had 11.

The difference came in accuracy and set pieces. Ivory Coast put three shots on target, while Ghana managed two. In addition, the hosts won six corners to Ghana’s one. Both sides received two yellow cards and neither had a player sent off, according to API-Football.

Who started for the Black Stars?

Ghana lined up in a 4-4-2. Lawrence Ati-Zigi started in goal, with Kojo Peprah Oppong, Alexander Djiku, Opoku and Mensah in defence. The midfield had Fatawu, Yirenkyi, Sibo and Bonsu Baah, and Thomas-Asante and Nuamah played up front.

Ivory Coast, coached by Renard, used a 4-2-3-1 and started F. Kessié, M. Yalcouyé, E. Ndicka and A. Bonny. Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association had named a 24-man squad for the qualifiers and the Morocco friendly, and later added nine players after medical uncertainties, as reported by the GFA in its squad announcement and squad update. Mohammed Kudus was named in the squad but was not in the matchday list from API-Football, and our sources do not give a reason.

What comes next for Ghana?

Ghana now turn to The Gambia. The Black Stars host them at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September 2026 at 16:00 GMT. Read our Ghana v Gambia preview for the details.

After that, a friendly against Morocco is scheduled for 4 October. You can follow every date on our Black Stars fixtures page, and check the players available on the national team roster.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in Ghana v Ivory Coast?

Ivory Coast won 2-0 in Bouaké on 24 September 2026, leading 1-0 at half-time.

Who scored in Ghana v Ivory Coast?

Malick Yalcouyé scored in the 44th minute and Franck Kessié converted a penalty in the 58th minute, according to API-Football.

When do the Black Stars play next?

Ghana host The Gambia in an AFCON qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September 2026, with kick-off at 16:00 GMT.