Overview
- Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 2-0 in Bouaké on Thursday with Malick Yalcouye scoring on his debut and Franck Kessié converting a second-half penalty.
- The match was the headline fixture that opened the continent-wide qualifying campaign that features 48 teams vying for 24 finals slots in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Hervé Renard made his second debut as Ivory Coast coach while Ghana, managed by Carlos Queiroz, travelled without several senior players including Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo.
- Off the field, Senegal has appealed CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 title and a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing is scheduled for 8 October, a dispute that could affect confidence in continental governance.
- Smaller nations shaped early storylines too as Eritrea returned to the group stage relying heavily on diaspora players after several squad members absconded in preliminary rounds, a trend that can alter competitive balance and team planning.