BY ISSAH OLEGOR
Ivory Coast have fired an early warning to Ghana ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying showdown, naming a formidable squad packed with European-based stars for their opening Group C fixtures against the Black Stars and Somalia.
The selection marks new head coach Hervé Renard’s first competitive assignment since returning to the Elephants’ dugout, and he has wasted little time assembling a squad combining experience, youth and considerable firepower.
Ghana will therefore face an Ivory Coast side determined to make an immediate statement when the two West African heavyweights meet on September 24.
The headline fixture will take place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké at 19:00 GMT, with Ivory Coast hosting Ghana before travelling into the second round of fixtures against Somalia on September 29. With both nations regarded as strong contenders to qualify from Group C, the opening encounter could prove crucial in establishing early momentum.
Renard has retained a strong experienced core, led by Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie and Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare. Their presence could be particularly important against a Ghana midfield expected to provide a physical challenge.
The defensive unit is equally imposing, with Roma’s Evan Ndicka, Nottingham Forest’s Ousmane Diomande, Bayer Leverkusen’s Guela Doue and Manchester United’s Leny Yoro among the options available to Renard. Yoro’s inclusion is particularly notable as the highly rated young defender continues to establish himself at Old Trafford.
Ivory Coast have also assembled an attacking department capable of causing serious problems. Real Madrid youngster Yan Diomande, Newcastle United forward Bazoumana Touré and Inter Milan’s Ange-Yoan Bonny headline a forward line that also includes Elye Wahi, Karim Konate, Oumar Diakite, Nicolas Pepe and Crystal Palace’s Evan Guessand.
The inclusion of Pepe brings valuable experience to an otherwise youthful attacking group, while the selection of several emerging talents signals Renard’s intention to blend the Elephants’ established stars with the next generation of Ivorian football.
In goal, Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Kone and Alban Lafont complete Renard’s options, giving the coach further depth as Ivory Coast begin their qualification campaign.
The Elephants’ second fixture against Somalia will also be played in Ivory Coast or Ghana because Somalia do not have a CAF-approved home venue, meaning Renard’s side could enjoy home advantage in both of their opening qualifiers.
The Group C contest also includes The Gambia, ensuring that the opening rounds could immediately reshape the qualification race. With the 2027 AFCON finals to be staged jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Ghana and Ivory Coast will know that dropping points against a direct rival could prove costly.
The top two teams from Group C are expected to secure qualification, raising the stakes of what promises to be a heavyweight West African battle in Bouaké.
Ivory Coast Squad
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Kone, Alban Lafont.
Defenders: Clement Akpa, Christ Tape, Evan Ndicka, Christopher Operi, Guela Doue, Ousmane Diomande, Ismael Doukoure, Abdoul Ouattara, Oumar Solet, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Franck Kessie, Malick Yalcouyé, Yann Gboho, Amadou Kone, Ibrahim Sangare, Christ Inao, Michel Adopo, Parfait Guiagon.
Forwards: Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Touré, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Elye Wahi, Karim Konate, Oumar Diakite, Nicolas Pepe, Evan Guessand.
