Ghana launched their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouaké.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz deployed a reshuffled attack led by Brandon Thomas, supported by Christopher Bonsu Baah, Fatawu Issahaku, and Ernest Nuamah.
He took the decision after key figures such as Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey withdrew their participation due to injury.
The Ghanaian side struggled to gain any advantage in the game.
Ivory Coast capitalized on their control in the 29th minute when Malick Yalcouye struck a powerful low effort from outside the box into the bottom-right corner.
The hosts extended their lead early in the second half following a disputed tackle by Fatawu on Yalcouye inside the penalty area.
Despite strong protests from Ghanaian players, Frank Kessie converted the 56th-minute spot kick.
Trailing by two goals and facing a dominant Ivorian side that held majority possession, Queiroz made a triple substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on Felix Afena-Gyan, Benjamin Tetteh, and debutant Augustine Boakye.
Tetteh and Caleb Yirenkyi forced Ghana’s first shots on target near the 80th minute, while Afena-Gyan and Boakye threatened during stoppage time, but the late push yielded no goals.
The loss places Ghana at the bottom of Group C.
The national team will play their next game against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
