AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Renard dismisses Ghana absences as Ivory Coast beat Black Stars

Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has dismissed suggestions that Ghana’s missing key players contributed to his side’s 2-0 victory over the Black Stars in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Goals from Malick Yalcouyé and captain Franck Kessié secured victory for the Elephants at the Stade de Bouaké on Thursday as they made a winning start to their Group C campaign.

Ghana went into the match without several established players because of injuries and other personal reasons, prompting questions about the impact of their absences.

However, Renard rejected the suggestion that Ghana’s depleted squad played a role in the result, pointing out that Ivory Coast were also without several important players.

“Why the players are not around, key Ghanaian players, this is not my issue. This is your problem, I would say,” Renard said after the match.

“We were missing five or six players as well. So we won this game, and that’s all.”

The French coach also dismissed the idea that Ghana’s defeat required explanations, insisting the result was what mattered to his side.

“It was the first game for the qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027. The result is good for us,” he said.

“Now, if you want to discuss your players, we are not there about the penalty. For me, so many excuses.”

The victory gives Ivory Coast three points from their opening Group C fixture, while Ghana must now regroup ahead of their next qualifier.

The Elephants will face Somalia in their second group game as they look to build on their winning start.