Ghana must make a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, says Ghana Football Association communications director Henry Asante Twum.
The Black Stars will begin their bid to return to the continent’s showpiece tournament with a difficult away fixture against Ivory Coast in Bouaké on 24 September.
They will then host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later as new head coach Carlos Queiroz begins preparations for his first competitive games in charge.
Ghana missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after a disappointing qualifying campaign and Asante Twum says the team cannot afford another slow start.
“We want to start well. It is always important to start well in the qualifiers,” he said.
“We did not start well in the last edition of the AFCON qualifiers, but we want to do well this time around.”
Queiroz, who is expected to arrive in Ghana this week, is set to name his squad for the two matches.
The Black Stars will be hoping to secure qualification for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027.
Ghana have not won the Africa Cup of Nations since 1982 and will be looking to end a 42-year wait for continental glory.
The four-time African champions have endured a difficult period in recent AFCON qualifying campaigns, making a positive start against Ivory Coast particularly important as they seek to rebuild under Queiroz.
