2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Carlos Queiroz proud of Black Stars despite Ivory Coast defeat

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says he remains proud of his players despite Ghana's disappointing defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The four-time African champions began their Group C campaign with a 2-0 loss to the Elephants in Bouaké last Thursday, where goals from Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié secured victory for the hosts.

Speaking ahead of Ghana's second qualifier against The Gambia, Queiroz admitted he shared the frustration of supporters following the result but praised his players for their effort and determination.

“Just like the fans, I was not happy that Ghana lost to Côte d’Ivoire, but I’m proud that we tried to win the game,” the Portuguese coach told reporters.

Queiroz, who is overseeing his second spell as Ghana coach, believes the Black Stars displayed the right mentality despite falling short in what was his first competitive match since returning to the role.

Ghana will look to bounce back when they host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT.

The defeat in Bouaké left the Black Stars without a point in Group C, increasing the importance of Tuesday's fixture. Victory over the Scorpions would not only earn Ghana their first points of the qualifying campaign but also provide a significant boost to their hopes of reaching the 2027 AFCON.

The Black Stars are eager to avoid another disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco, a setback that ended a run of more than 20 years of consecutive appearances at the continental showpiece.