The qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins with a high-profile clash as Ivory Coast hosts Ghana in Bouake on Thursday, September 24, at 7pm GMT.

This match marks the start of the road to the finals, scheduled to be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and features two nations boasting numerous prominent players.

Ivory Coast, under the guidance of returning manager Herve Renard, will look to start their campaign strongly. Renard, a two-time AFCON winner, takes over the West African giants for a second spell. The squad features Real Madrid's Yan Diomande, whose recent transfer set a new record for an African player, and Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie. Nicolas Pepe, formerly of Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest's Ibrahim Sangare are also key figures for the Elephants.

The implications of this opening match are significant for both teams as they aim to secure a place in the continental showpiece. A strong start is crucial for Ivory Coast, who are aiming to win the AFCON title again.

Ghana's squad for this opening qualifier has been described as depleted, though specific details of their lineup were not provided in the source material. This presents an opportunity for Ivory Coast to gain an early advantage in Group C, which also includes The Gambia and Somalia.

Herve Renard brings a wealth of experience to the Ivory Coast bench. His previous tenure saw him lead the team to AFCON glory in 2015. He has since managed other national teams, including Morocco and Saudi Arabia, famously guiding the latter to a historic World Cup victory against Argentina.

Diomande's move to Real Madrid for a reported $161 million highlights his status as one of Africa's leading talents. Alongside Kessie, who previously played for Barcelona, and other Premier League and La Liga performers, Ivory Coast possesses considerable attacking threat.

Following this match, Ghana will host The Gambia in their next group fixture, while Ivory Coast will travel to face Somalia. The qualification process will continue over subsequent matchdays as teams vie for a spot in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.