The head coach of the senior national football team of Ghana lamented his team’s struggle to convert their chances against the Ivory Coast.

Carlos Queiroz’s comment may surprise some fans who believed Ghana’s attack was ineffective throughout the game on Thursday night in Bouake.

However, the statistics from the match present a contrasting narrative. The Black Stars were able to muster half of the Ivorians’ 10 shots with just one being on target.

Saint Etienne’s Augustine Boakye came closest to scoring with a fierce curling shot late in the second half of Ghana’s 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast.

“We lacked inspiration in our striking moments. We played differently. Ivory Coast had more possession. We made more vertical movements to attack the defensive line of Ivory Coast… We had enough opportunities to score, so let’s improve on that department. Improve our ability to score.

The Black Stars will take on The Gambia next in the second round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.