Ivory Coast vs Ghana — AFCON Qualifying: stats, lineups & analysis
Match Events
- 34′Ghana, yellow card:Argument
- 44′Ivory Coast, goal:1–0assist
- 45+2′Ivory Coast, yellow card:Foul
- Half-time1 – 0
- 56′Ghana, yellow card:Argument
- 58′Ivory Coast, penalty goal:2–0Penalty
- 64′Ghana, substitution:off
- 64′Ghana, substitution:off
- 65′Ghana, substitution:off
- 71′Ghana, substitution:off
- 71′Ghana, substitution:off
- 72′Ivory Coast, substitution:off
- 72′Ivory Coast, substitution:off
- 86′Ivory Coast, yellow card:Foul
- 86′Ivory Coast, substitution:off
- Full-time2 – 0
Lineups
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Key Stats
Top Performers
Best rated
Goals
Assist
Player Ratings
Ivory Coast
Ghana
Match report
Ivory Coast see off Ghana in AFCON qualifying opener
Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0 in their opening AFCON Qualifying Group Stage fixture at Stade de la Paix, a result that gave Emerse Fae's side a winning start to the campaign against Carlos Queiroz's visitors.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
The hosts led at the break through Malick Yalcouyé, who converted just before half-time with an assist from Franck Kessié to make it 1-0. Ivory Coast doubled their advantage early in the second half when Kessié scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, taking the score to 2-0, a scoreline that held until the final whistle.
Ivory Coast dominated possession with 59 percent of the ball and outshot Ghana 12 to 11, though it was the six corners won compared to Ghana's solitary one that underlined how much territory the hosts controlled over the course of the match. Both sides picked up two yellow cards apiece as Mustapha Ghorbal took charge of a physical contest.
Yalcouyé struck the opening goal and was rated the top performer on the pitch with an 8.5, while Kessié also impressed with a goal and an assist in the win.
Ivory Coast's dominance was reflected in their 59 percent share of possession compared to Ghana's 41 percent.
Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2–0 (half-time 1–0).
Ivory Coast met Ghana in the AFCON Qualifying (Group Stage - 1). Kick-off was Thursday, 24 September 2026, 19:00 UTC at Stade de la Paix. Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal.
Team pages: Ivory Coast · Ghana · AFCON Qualifying
Key moments
- 44' Goal: Malick Yalcouyé (assist: Franck Kessié) — 1–0
- 58' Goal (penalty): Franck Kessié — 2–0
Starting line-ups
Ivory Coast (4-2-3-1)
Ghana (4-4-2)
About this match
On this page: the Ivory Coast vs Ghana final score and result, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this AFCON Qualifying fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
The full match report above covers the goals, key moments and stats. Explore more on the Ivory Coast and Ghana team pages or the AFCON Qualifying page.