Côte d'Ivoire defeated Ghana 2-0 in their opening Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers today.

The Black Stars made all efforts to either equalize or win the game but to no avail as the match ended in favor of the Ivorians in Bouaké.

Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring for the hosts in the 44th minute and Franck Kessié doubled the lead with a 58th-minute penalty following a foul inside the box.

The defeat leaves the Black Stars searching for their first points in the group.