Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says Ivory Coast’s rise to become African champions was helped by mistakes made by Ghana during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, as the Black Stars prepare to face the Elephants in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Speaking ahead of Ghana’s opening Group C qualifier against Ivory Coast, Okraku acknowledged the hosts’ recent success but said Ghana must learn from the errors that proved costly during the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
“Cote d’Ivoire have done well in the last few years. They were one of those few countries that benefited from some of the mistakes we made to become African champions,” Okraku told 3Sports.
Ivory Coast went on to win the 2023 AFCON on home soil after surviving a dramatic group-stage escape before embarking on an unlikely run to the title under coach Emerse Fae.
Okraku pointed to Ghana’s collapse against Mozambique as the defining moment that changed the course of the tournament.
“When they hosted the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, I remember on matchday three, Ghana was playing Mozambique.
“Eighty-nine minutes, Ghana was leading 2-0. Ghana was on our way out of the group to make it to the knockout stage. Then after four minutes, the score was 2-2 and Cote d’Ivoire, who were on their way home, found themselves back in the competition, and they went all the way to become African champions.”
The Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage for the second consecutive AFCON after surrendering a two-goal lead late in the match, while Ivory Coast progressed as one of the best third-placed teams before eventually lifting the trophy.
Ghana, who are chasing a first AFCON title since 1982, will begin their 2027 qualifying campaign away to Ivory Coast on 24 September at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, with Somalia and The Gambia completing Group C.
