Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has called on the Black Stars to improve their finishing after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Black Stars created several scoring opportunities during the match at the Stade de Bouaké, but failed to convert their chances as the Elephants secured all three points.
Brighton forward Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring for Côte d’Ivoire in the first half with a powerful strike from outside the box.
Captain Franck Kessié later doubled the hosts’ advantage from the penalty spot after Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was penalised for bringing down Yalcouyé inside the Ghana penalty area.
Queiroz Says Black Stars Must Improve Finishing
Despite the defeat, Carlos Queiroz believes Ghana created enough chances to score and identified finishing as a major area that needs improvement.
The Portuguese coach mentioned opportunities involving Augustine, Benjamin and Sibo, saying the Black Stars had chances that could have changed the outcome of the match.
According to Queiroz, Ghana lacked the necessary inspiration and composure in the final moments of their attacking moves.
The Ghana coach also acknowledged that Côte d’Ivoire enjoyed more possession but said the Black Stars adopted a more direct approach as the game progressed.
Ghana Adopted More Direct Attacking Approach
Queiroz explained that Ghana changed its tactical approach during the match by using more vertical movements to attack the Ivorian defensive line.
He said the introduction of Benjamin and Felix provided another attacking approach and created additional opportunities for the Black Stars.
However, Ghana could not find the back of the net.
The coach stressed that improving the team’s ability to convert chances will be important as Ghana continues its AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
He noted that the Côte d’Ivoire match was another game in which Ghana failed to score.
Yalcouyé Goal Changed the Match
Queiroz identified Côte d’Ivoire’s opening goal as a crucial moment in the encounter.
He praised Yalcouyé’s strike from outside the penalty area but admitted that Ghana’s defensive positioning contributed to the opportunity.
The coach said the Black Stars failed to properly cover the available space during the attack, allowing the Brighton forward to produce an outstanding finish.
Ghana subsequently went into halftime trailing 1-0.
Penalty Made Ghana’s Comeback More Difficult
The second goal, according to Queiroz, significantly changed the dynamics of the game.
The penalty was awarded after Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was judged to have brought down Yalcouyé inside the box, allowing Kessié to convert from the spot.
Queiroz had questioned the referee’s decision but clarified that his comments were not intended to undermine Côte d’Ivoire’s performance.
He acknowledged the quality and effort of the Ivorian players and said both teams competed strongly during the encounter.
The Ghana coach stressed that trying to recover from a 2-0 deficit was considerably more difficult than attempting to come back from a one-goal disadvantage.
Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire Remains Closely Contested Rivalry
Queiroz described the match as another closely contested encounter between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The two West African football powerhouses have a long history of competitive matches, with the Ghana coach pointing to their previous results as evidence of how tightly contested the fixtures usually are.
Despite Ghana’s defeat, Queiroz said the result must now be put behind the team as the Black Stars prepare for their next AFCON 2027 qualifier.
Black Stars Prepare for The Gambia
The defeat leaves Ghana without a point from their opening Group C AFCON 2027 qualifying fixture.
The Black Stars have since returned to Accra and will begin preparations for their next match against The Gambia on Tuesday.
Queiroz said the immediate priority is to recover the players and prepare them physically and mentally for the upcoming home fixture.
He said the team must now focus on securing a victory in Accra after the disappointing result in Bouaké.
Ghana Chasing AFCON Return
The Black Stars are seeking a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the previous edition of the continental tournament.
Their absence ended Ghana’s run of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the AFCON tournament.
With the 2027 qualifiers now underway, Ghana will be looking to improve its attacking efficiency and collect points in the remaining Group C matches.
Carlos Queiroz has therefore challenged his players to become more clinical in front of goal as the Ghana national team continues its campaign to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
Source: newsthemegh.com