Ghana’s first step towards returning to the Africa Cup of Nations ended in defeat to Cote d’Ivoire, with midfield lapses and a makeshift defence under scrutiny.
Ghana have begun their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-0 defeat to Cote d'Ivoire in Bouake, a familiar and unwelcome start for a side trying to put a missed tournament behind it.
Malick Yalcouye put the hosts ahead in the first half, and Franck Kessie sealed the win from the penalty spot after the break. The Elephants take the early advantage in the group, while the Black Stars now have ground to make up.
Where the game turned
The opening goal set the tone. In its player ratings of the match, MyJoyOnline judged that Ghana's two starting midfielders failed to close down Yalcouye before he shot, leaving goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi exposed on what was his first serious test of the evening.
The second goal came from a penalty conceded by winger Fatawu Issahaku. The outlet's assessment was that the decision might have gone the other way had a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system been in use for the fixture.
The selection questions
Ghana's biggest problem areas, in that analysis, were down the right and in central midfield.
Kojo Oppong Peprah, 22, was deployed at right-back rather than his usual position and struggled against Ivorian winger Yan Diomande. The rating piece noted he has played only 21 minutes of club football this season, and that his lack of match sharpness showed.
In midfield, Kwasi Sibo of Al-Swehly and Coventry's Caleb Yirenkyi were both marked down to 2 out of 10, the lowest scores handed out, for failing to shield the back four and for loose passing.
Centre-backs Alexander Djiku, who wore the captain's armband, and Jerome Opoku came out best among the starters, both rated 5, alongside Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah, described as Ghana's most threatening attacker before he was substituted.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz was also given a 3, with the criticism centred on starting the match with only two central midfielders.
Bench offered something
There was a small positive in the substitutions. Augustine Boakye, the St Etienne attacking midfielder, and striker Benjamin Tetteh each played 26 minutes and were rated 4, with Boakye credited for pushing the ball forward quickly and Tetteh for the attention he drew as a target man. Felix Afena-Gyan came on and headed a chance against the post.
What next
AFCON qualifying runs over several matchdays, and one defeat away from home is not decisive. But for Ghanaians at home and abroad who watched the team miss out on the last tournament, the performance raises early questions about midfield balance and the fitness of players called into the squad.
Ghana's next qualifier date has not yet been confirmed in this reporting.
