Kurt Okraku: Ghana mistakes helped Ivory Coast’s AFCON triumph

Speaking ahead of Ghana’s opening 2027 AFCON qualifier against the Elephants, Okraku acknowledged Ivory Coast’s recent success but said Ghana must learn from the costly errors that shaped the fortunes of both teams.

“Cote d’Ivoire have done well in the last few years. They were one of those few countries that benefited from some of the mistakes we made to become African champions,” he told 3Sports.

Okraku pointed to Ghana’s dramatic collapse against Mozambique in the final group match of the 2023 AFCON, a result that helped revive Ivory Coast’s campaign on home soil.

With Ghana leading 2-0 in the closing minutes, two late Mozambique goals secured a 2-2 draw, knocking the Black Stars out of the tournament and allowing the hosts to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

“When they hosted the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, I remember on matchday three, Ghana was playing Mozambique,” Okraku said.

“Eighty-nine minutes, Ghana was leading 2-0. Ghana was on our way out of the group to make it to the knockout stage. Then after four minutes, the score was 2-2 and Cote d’Ivoire, who were on their way home, found themselves back in the competition, and they went all the way to become African champions.”

Ivory Coast completed a remarkable turnaround by lifting the trophy under coach Emerse Fae after initially appearing destined for an early exit.

For Ghana, the result sealed a second successive group-stage elimination at the tournament, extending the Black Stars’ wait for a fifth AFCON title since their last triumph in 1982.

The two West African rivals will meet again when Ghana begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away to Ivory Coast.

The Group C fixture will be played at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Ghana’s qualifying group also includes Somalia and The Gambia.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet