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The qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations begin tonight with a blockbuster clash between Ivory Coast and Ghana.
Herve Renard’s first Ivory Coast squad since returning to the national-team set-up has been shaped by several notable omissions, with Amad Diallo, Evann Guessand and Omar Diakite all absent.
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The Elephants still have plenty of familiar faces, with Yahia Fofana starting in goal, Ousmane Diomande anchoring the defence and Franck Kessie providing experience in midfield. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is another notable absentee, however, with the forward ruled out through injury.
Yan Diomande, as expected, is selected to lead the Ivory Coast attack as he looks to rediscover his best form after an indifferent start to life at Real Madrid.
Ghana, meanwhile, have also been forced to make changes to their squad. Head coach Carlos Queiroz will be without captain Jordan Ayew, Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
Kudus' absence is particularly understandable given his recent injury history. The midfielder has only recently returned from a lengthy hamstring problem which kept him out for much of the second half of the 2025-26 season and ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup, and opted to withdraw from international duty.
There is some positive news for the Black Stars, with Alexander Djiku, Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Sulemana, Felix Afena-Gyan and Ibrahim Osman returning to the squad.
Both sides therefore head into the international window with important players missing, but there remains plenty of established quality in each squad. Ivory Coast will look to Kessie and Diomande for control in midfield and defence, while Ghana's attacking threat could come through Issahaku, Thomas-Asante and Nuamah.
Confirmed team news
Ivory Coast XI: Fofana; Konan, Ndicka, Diomande, Zogbe; Sangare, Yacoulye, Kessie; Pepe, Bonny, Diomande
Substitutes: Lafont, Kone, Agbadou, Toure, Oulai, Tape, Gboho, Doue, Ouattara, Diaz, Kone, Fofana, Wahi, Zabi
Ghana XI: Ati-Zigi; Oppong, Opoku, Djiku, Mensah; Sibo, Yirenkyi; Bonsu, Nuamah, Fatawu; Thomas-Asante
Substitutes: Boakye, Asare, Tetteh, Annan, Gyan, Gadafi, Rahim, Sulemana, Adjetey, Anang, Yeboah, Donkor
Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday, September 24, 2026
Venue: Stade de la Paix, Bouake, Ivory Coast
How to watch: UK TV coverage is yet to be confirmed
