2027 AFCON Qualifiers: The psychological block of losing games doesn't exist in Black Stars anymore – GFA president Kurt Okraku ahead of Ivory Coast clash
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars will head into their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast with confidence, insisting the team has overcome the psychological barriers that once hindered its performances in big matches.
The four-time African champions begin their AFCON qualifying campaign away to their West African rivals in September as they seek a return to the continent's premier football tournament.
Ghana missed out on qualification for the last AFCON in Morocco, but optimism has grown following the Black Stars' impressive run to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – their best performance at the tournament since 2010.
Speaking ahead of the Group C encounter, Okraku said the current squad is no longer weighed down by memories of previous disappointments.
"That psychological block of losing games doesn't exist anymore within this team. We will go to Côte d'Ivoire in full confidence and be competitive," he told 3Sports.
The Black Stars will face a tough challenge against the reigning African champions, but Okraku believes the team's recent progress has restored belief within the squad.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September 2026, with kick-off set for 19:00 GMT.
Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, Somalia and The Gambia as they bid to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.