Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has claimed that Côte d’Ivoire’s triumph at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was partly aided by mistakes made by the Black Stars during the tournament.
Ghana are set to renew their rivalry with the reigning African champions when the two countries meet in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the Black Stars scheduled to begin their campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire.
Looking back at Ghana’s disappointing 2023 AFCON campaign, Okraku recalled how the Black Stars appeared set to advance to the knockout stage before surrendering their advantage in their final group game against Mozambique.
He said Ghana’s late collapse changed the situation in the group and unexpectedly revived Côte d’Ivoire’s hopes of progressing.
“Ghana was on our way out of the group to make it to the knockout stage. Then after four minutes, the score was 2-2 and Côte d’Ivoire, who were on their way home, found themselves back in the competition and they went all the way to become African champions,” Okraku said in an interview with 3Sports.
The Ivorians eventually won the tournament on home soil, completing a remarkable turnaround after initially appearing close to elimination from the group stage.
While acknowledging Côte d’Ivoire’s achievements in recent years, Okraku argued that Ghana’s own shortcomings during the tournament played a role in creating an opening for the eventual champions.
“Côte d’Ivoire have done well in the last few years. They were one of those few countries that benefitted from some of the mistakes we made to become African champions,” he added.
Ghana will now face Côte d’Ivoire in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, providing the Black Stars with an opportunity to reverse the result of the previous tournament and strengthen their chances of returning to Africa’s biggest international competition.
