Ivory Coast vs Ghana LIVE: AFCON 2027 qualifier latest score, match stream, goal updates and fan reaction | OneFootball

A huge showdown to open AFCON 2027 qualification

Ivory Coast face Ghana in Bouake as action from Group C of Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification begins tonight. These two nations, ranked 31st and 65th in the world respectively, are expected to seal a place at next summer's finals - hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania - so this showdown is likely to go a long way in determining who tops the group.

As the home side, Cote D'Ivoire will start the game as slight favourites in their first competitive outing since losing a World Cup last-32 clash against Norway in the summer. Herve Renard has returned for a second spell as head coach, naming a squad packed with a mixture of youth and experience.

Ghana, meanwhile, have been dealt a double blow ahead of tonight's showdown with captain Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo forced to withdraw from the squad because of injury. This means head coach Carlos Queiroz will be without three of the Black Stars' best attackers as Mohammed Kudus has not been called up despite a return to fitness. Follow Ivory Coast vs Ghana LIVE below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!