Côte d’Ivoire head coach Hervé Renard expects Thursday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana to be decided by the smallest of details as both West African giants begin their Group C campaign.
The Elephants will welcome the Black Stars to Bouaké for a highly anticipated opening fixture, with both teams determined to make a strong start to their qualification journey.
Renard, who returned to the Ivorian dugout earlier this year, anticipates a fiercely contested encounter and believes concentration and discipline could prove decisive.
“When you have a match between two big teams, Côte d’Ivoire against Ghana, it will be played on details. But we have enough character to approach it,” Renard said.
The French coach knows Ghana well, with the Black Stars entering a new era under Carlos Queiroz, who has returned for a second spell as head coach.
Ghana’s preparations, however, have been disrupted by a number of withdrawals, with key players including Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo unavailable for the trip to Côte d’Ivoire.
Renard will be hoping his side can capitalise on home advantage and turn their opportunities into a winning start.
The former AFCON-winning coach guided Côte d’Ivoire to continental glory in 2015 and will be looking to bring that winning mentality to the Elephants once again.
For Ghana, Queiroz will be aiming to oversee a positive start despite the absences and begin his second spell with a result that will boost confidence ahead of the remainder of the qualifiers.
The Black Stars will be seeking to frustrate the hosts in Bouaké and return home with a positive result before their next Group C fixture against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 27.