2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana must treat Ivory Coast clash like a final - George Afriyie

Former Ghana Football Association vice-president George Afriyie has urged the Black Stars to approach their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Côte d'Ivoire as though it were a final.

Ghana will begin their qualifying campaign away to the Elephants at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.

Afriyie believes the result in Bouaké could prove crucial to Ghana's hopes of securing an immediate return to the continental showpiece after missing out on the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

"Our first match against Côte d'Ivoire is very dicey and difficult; we must approach it like the final," Afriyie told Graphic Sports.

"But for me, I think that we should just prepare well. We must not repeat the mistakes of 2024 that caused us to miss qualification."

The Black Stars endured a disappointing qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, missing out on the tournament for the first time in decades.

Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, with new head coach Carlos Queiroz tasked with guiding the four-time African champions back to the finals.

The trip to Bouaké is expected to be Ghana's toughest assignment in the group, with Côte d'Ivoire providing a stern test before the Black Stars face The Gambia in Accra.

Ghana will also meet Somalia during the qualifying campaign as they target a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.