2027 Africa Cup qualifiers - National Teams - Group Stage - Côte d'Ivoire vs Ghana 2:0

Côte d'Ivoire vs Ghana 2:0 | GROUP C

Goal Côte d'Ivoire
M. Yalcouyé (44')
F. Kessié (58' pen)
Assist Côte d'Ivoire
F. Kessié (44')

The headline fixture of the entire opening round. Real Madrid's Yan Diomandé leads a Hervé Renard side fresh off a World Cup 2026 round-of-32 run. Ghana arrive severely weakened. Coach Carlos Queiroz is without Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey. This makes it a tough challenge for the four-time AFCON champions.

2027 Africa Cup Qualifiers | The Details
48 teams are chasing their spot at AFCON 2027, hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and this week's opening qualifying window delivers a stacked slate across the continent. There are World Cup stars, injury blows, and a manager's homecoming. The road to AFCON 2027 kicks off with fireworks.

01. Côte d'Ivoire vs Ghana 2:0 | GROUP C
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Stade de la Paix, Bouaké

02. Nigeria vs Madagascar | GROUP L
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 16:00 GMT
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

Eric Chelle's Super Eagles have been hit before kick-off. Victor Osimhen has been ruled out due to a muscle strain sustained at Galatasaray. However, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi are still set to headline the squad. Meanwhile, Madagascar will hand debuts to goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and striker Roman Ferber as the Barea chase their first return to the AFCON finals in years.

03. Morocco vs Gabon | GROUP A
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

04. Egypt vs Angola | GROUP B
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue. Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (40,000 fans expected)

05. Algeria vs Zambia | GROUP I
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed, Tizi Ouzou

06. Senegal vs Mozambique | GROUP J
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto, Maputo

07. South Africa vs Guinea | GROUP D
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time:16:00 GMT,  
Venue: Orlando Stadium, Soweto

A landmark day for Bafana Bafana
It's Pitso Mosimane's first competitive match since returning for a third spell in charge. 

With Group D's automatic qualifier, Kenya is already through as co-hosts, this clash is effectively a straight fight between South Africa and Guinea for the group's real prize.