Ghana mistakes helped Ivory Coast's AFCON triumph in 2023 - Kurt Okraku

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku believes Ivory Coast's rise to become African champions was helped by mistakes made by Ghana during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Speaking ahead of Ghana's opening 2027 AFCON qualifier against the Elephants, Okraku acknowledged Ivory Coast's recent achievements but said their success was partly linked to Ghana's failure to secure qualification from the group stage.

"Cote d'Ivoire have done well in the last few years. They were one of those few countries that benefited from some of the mistakes we made to become African champions," Okraku told 3Sports.

Ivory Coast crowned their resurgence by winning the AFCON title on home soil in 2024, despite appearing close to elimination during the group phase.

Okraku pointed to Ghana's dramatic 2-2 draw with Mozambique in their final group match as a turning point in the tournament. The Black Stars surrendered a two-goal lead in the closing minutes, a result that contributed to their exit and helped keep Ivory Coast's hopes alive.

"When they hosted the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire, I remember on matchday three, Ghana was playing Mozambique," he said.

"Eighty-nine minutes, Ghana was leading 2-0. Ghana was on our way out of the group to make it to the knockout stage. Then after four minutes, the score was 2-2 and Cote d'Ivoire, who were on their way home, found themselves back in the competition, and they went all the way to become African champions."

Ghana's failure to beat Mozambique resulted in a second consecutive group-stage exit at the continental tournament, extending the Black Stars' wait for a fifth AFCON title. Ghana last lifted the trophy in 1982.

The Black Stars will have an opportunity to begin a new chapter when they open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away to Ivory Coast on 24 September.

The Group C encounter will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Ghana's qualifying group also includes Somalia and The Gambia as they seek a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing out on the 2025 edition.