Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku believes the Black Stars have overcome the psychological burden that previously affected them in difficult matches ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast.Ghana will travel to face the Elephants on September 23, 2026, in a crucial opening fixture of the AFCON qualifying campaign.Okraku insists the Black Stars will approach the encounter with confidence despite Ivory Coasts strong recent record and Ghanas history of difficult results against their neighbours.That psychological block of losing games doesn’t exist anymore within this team. We will go to Cote d’Ivoire in full confidence and be competitive, Okraku told 3Sports.The fixture brings back memories of the 2015 AFCON final, when Ivory Coast defeated Ghana on penalties after a dramatic shootout in Equatorial Guinea.Ghana have also endured disappointment in recent AFCON campaigns, failing to qualify for the previous edition after a poor qualifying campaign.Ivory Coast, meanwhile, have continued to establish themselves among Africas leading teams, winning the 2023 AFCON on home soil.However, Okraku believes the Black Stars experience at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has helped build a stronger mentality within the squad.The September meeting will be Ghanas first major test in their bid to return to the continental tournament after missing the last edition.
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Kurt Okraku confident Black Stars have overcome psychological block ahead of Ivory Coast clash
