Côte d’Ivoire strolled to a two nil victory over the Black Sars of Ghana in their opening Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
The Elephants controlled large portions of the game after the likes of Diomande and Pepe troubled Zigi in the early exchanges of the game but the score remained barren.
With a minute to end the first half, Brighton’s Malick Yalcouyé scored a thunderbolt in the 44th minute leaving Ati Zigi helpless in post for Ghana.
Franck Kessié doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute compounding the miseries of their neighbors.
Ghana, missing several key players including captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Thomas Partey struggled to create clear chances against a well-organised home side under returning coach Hervé Renard.
There was Felix Afena Ghana’s header which cannoned of the post as well as Augustine Boakye’s curler which scaled inches away from a consolation goal.
The result hands Côte d’Ivoire three points in a group that also includes Gambia and Somalia.
The Black Sars will look to bounce back quickly in their next qualifier against The Gambia.
The West African rivals added another chapter to their long-standing football rivalry, with the hosts asserting control from the outset on home soil.
