Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars will travel to face Ivory Coast with confidence, insisting the team has moved beyond the psychological barriers that previously affected its performances in big matches.
The Black Stars begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against the Elephants in September, with Okraku believing the squad is well placed to build on its recent resurgence.
Ghana reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010 and will now be looking to carry that momentum into their bid to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament after missing out on the previous edition in Morocco.
Speaking to 3Sports, Okraku said the current squad no longer carries the burden of past disappointments.
“That psychological block of losing games doesn’t exist anymore within this team. We will go to Côte d’Ivoire in full confidence and be competitive.”
The Group C encounter will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
Ghana’s qualifying group also includes Somalia and The Gambia as the four-time African champions seek a return to the AFCON finals.
