Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz insists Ghana created the clearer scoring opportunities despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Bouaké.
Goals from Malick Yalcouye and Franck Kessie secured victory for the hosts at the Stade de Bouaké, sending the Elephants to the top of Group C with three points.
Despite Côte d’Ivoire enjoying more possession throughout the contest, Queiroz believed his side posed the greater attacking threat and created enough chances to avoid defeat.
“In terms of possession, Côte d’Ivoire were better than us, but in terms of attacking penetration and creating opportunities, we were better,” the Portuguese coach said after the match.
Ghana, however, failed to make their chances count, with Queiroz lamenting his side’s inability to convert in key moments.
“Unfortunately, we did not score. We had four clear opportunities to score in front of goal, but it didn’t happen,” he added.
Augustine Boakye, Benjamin Tetteh and Kwasi Sibo all came close for the Black Stars, who were looking to make a positive start to their qualifying campaign.
Queiroz revealed that his side adopted a more direct approach as the game progressed in an effort to unsettle the Ivorian defence.
“We played a more vertical style with more vertical movements to attack the defensive line of Côte d’Ivoire,” he explained.
The 73-year-old also praised the impact of substitutes Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan, saying their introduction provided Ghana with additional attacking options and helped create further openings.
“We had enough opportunities to score. We have to improve in that department, to improve our ability to score because this is another game that we did not score,” Queiroz said.
The result leaves Ghana without a point after their opening Group C fixture, while Côte d’Ivoire lead the standings.
The Black Stars will look to bounce back when they host Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29, as they seek their first points of the qualifying campaign.
