Sports
Queiroz Promises Ghana Will Respond in Accra After Ivory Coast Defeat
By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 25, 2026
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed strong confidence that the Black Stars will defeat Côte d’Ivoire when the two West African rivals meet again in Accra during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. His comments came after Ghana opened Group C with a 2–0 defeat to the Elephants in Bouaké on Thursday, 24 September.
The result gave Côte d’Ivoire an early advantage in the group, while Ghana began its qualification campaign without a point. Despite the setback, Queiroz said he expected Ghana to respond in the return fixture on home soil.
“Queiroz Backs Black Stars to Bounce Back in Accra”
Queiroz backs Ghana to level the rivalry
Speaking after the match, Queiroz said:
“When Ivory Coast comes to Ghana, with all due respect, it will be our turn to win.”
He added that, based on the head-to-head record he cited, the score between the two countries would become level after the return encounter.
“So the score, as you said now, is 16–15, right? So in a couple of months it will be 16–16. I have no doubt about that, that we are going to win that game.”
The coach’s statement was a confident prediction about a future fixture, rather than a confirmed result. The outcome will depend on the teams’ form, preparation and performance when the match is played.
“Accra Awaits Ghana’s Response in Return Fixture”
Côte d’Ivoire makes winning start
Côte d’Ivoire secured a 2–0 victory in Bouaké, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts.
The result put Ghana at the bottom of Group C after the opening round of matches and increased the importance of the Black Stars’ upcoming fixtures.
The defeat was also Queiroz’s first competitive match since returning for a second spell as Ghana’s head coach. Ghana is seeking to qualify for the 2027 AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco—its first absence from the finals in more than two decades, according to local reports.
“Black Stars Turn Attention to Crucial Gambia Clash”
Ghana’s immediate focus shifts to The Gambia
Before Ghana faces Côte d’Ivoire again, the Black Stars are scheduled to host The Gambia on Tuesday, 29 September, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The fixture gives Ghana an opportunity to pursue its first points of the qualifying campaign and address the problems exposed in the opening defeat. However, the team’s position in the group will depend on results across the other matches as well.
A difficult opening against the Elephants
Reports from the match indicated that Côte d’Ivoire controlled important periods of the contest, while Ghana struggled to create sufficient attacking opportunities.
The opening defeat leaves Queiroz and his technical team with several areas to assess, including Ghana’s attacking efficiency, defensive organisation and ability to maintain control against strong opposition.
The coach’s confidence about the return leg does not remove the need for Ghana to improve its performances in the matches leading up to that encounter.
What the result means for Ghana’s qualification campaign
|
Issue |
Current position |
|---|---|
|
Competition |
2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers |
|
Group |
Group C |
|
Opening result |
Côte d’Ivoire 2–0 Ghana |
|
Ghana’s points |
0 after the opening match |
|
Next fixture |
Ghana vs The Gambia |
|
Next match date |
29 September 2026 |
|
Return fixture |
Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire in Accra, later in the campaign |
The opening result places greater importance on Ghana’s next matches. Winning against The Gambia would provide an opportunity to begin recovering from the defeat, although the overall qualification picture will develop over several rounds.
Independent assessment
Queiroz’s remarks communicate confidence and are intended to reassure supporters after a disappointing start. Nevertheless, his prediction should be distinguished from the confirmed facts: Côte d’Ivoire won the first meeting 2–0, Ghana has yet to collect a point in Group C, and the return fixture remains in the future.
Ghana’s immediate challenge is to secure a positive result against The Gambia while using the intervening period to improve before facing Côte d’Ivoire again.