Black Stars must start 2027 AFCON qualifiers strongly – Henry Asante Twum

Ghana must make a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, says Ghana Football Association (GFA) communications director Henry Asante Twum.

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

Ghana are seeking a return to the continental tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco.

Asante Twum says avoiding another slow start will be important as Ghana attempts to secure their place at the tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

"We want to start well. It is always important to start well in the qualifiers," he told Asempa FM.

"We did not start well in the last edition of the AFCON qualifiers, but we want to do well this time around," Asante Twum added.

The Black Stars will enter the qualifiers shortly after representing Ghana at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America.

New head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to arrive in Ghana this week and is also expected to name his squad for the opening two qualifiers.

Ghana have not won the AFCON since their 1982 triumph in Libya and will be hoping to end a 42-year wait for a fifth continental title.

The Black Stars' immediate focus, however, will be on securing a positive result against Ivory Coast before returning home to face The Gambia.