Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana name starting line-ups for CAN 2027 qualifier

Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana have announced their starting line-ups for their opening CAN 2027 qualifying match at the Stade de la Paix de Bouake on Thursday, 24 September.

Yahia Fofana starts in goal for Cote d’Ivoire, with Ousmane Diomande, Ghislain Konan and Evan Ndicka included in the defence.

Captain Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare feature in midfield, while Nicolas Pepe, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Yan Diomande are also named in the starting XI.

Cote d’Ivoire: Yahia Fofana, Ousmane Diomande, Ghislain Konan, Franck Kessie (cap.), Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande, Malick Yalcouye, Luck Zogbe, Ibrahim Sangare, Nicolas Pepe, Evan Ndicka.

The Cote d’Ivoire substitutes are Alban Lafont, Amadou Kone, Emmanuel Agbadou, Bazoumana Toure, Christ Inao Oulai, Christ Tape, Yann Gboho, Eddy Doue, Kassoum Ouattara, Michel Junior Diaz, Mohamed Kone, Rayan Fofana, Elye Wahi and Patrick Zabi Gueu.

For Ghana, Lawrence Ati-Zigi is selected in goal. Gideon Mensah and Jerome Opoku are named in defence alongside captain Alexander Djiku.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ernest Nuamah start in attack for the visitors.

Ghana: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kwasi Sibo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Ernest Nuamah, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Alexander Djiku (cap.).

Ghana’s substitutes are Augustine Boakye, Benjamin Asare, Benjamin Tetteh, Ebenezer Annan, Felix Afena-Gyan, Mohamed Fuseini, Ibrahim Rash Rahim, Ibrahim Sulemana, Jonas Adjetey, Joseph Tetteh Anang, Rockson Yeboah and Ronald Donkor.