Cheers erupted in the stands of Stade de la Paix on Thursday night as the Elephants blew away the Black Stars.
Augustine Boakye and Fatawu Issahaku could seen hugging and smiling with friends from the Ivorian team after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
What better way to kick off the 2027 AFCON qualifiers with a West African derby— one for the classics as Ghana was dominated in possession from start to finish.
Forget the frivolous penalty call 13 minutes into the second half which saw Franck Kessie doubling the lead for the Ivorians, Ghana in creating meaningful chances.
Malick Yalcouyé snatched a late first half lead after firing a long range strike from the Black Stars’ invisible midfield comprising of Al Swehly’s Kwasi Sibo and Coventry City’s Caleb Yirenkyi, past goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who was positioned at a shocking position in to the net.
The weakened Ghana side tried to make sense out of their limited opportunities but failed to trouble the Ivorians in any way possible.
Ghana is now bottom of the Group C standings as Ivory Coast sit pretty at top with Somalia and The Gambia yet to play each other.
The Black Stars will not turn their focus on The Gambia on Tuesday, September 29, at the Accra Sports Stadium for a chance to keep distance with table toppers Ivorians.
