Hervé Renard faces Ghana in first game back with Ivory Coast

Hervé Renard will face Ghana in his first game back as Ivory Coast coach, reigniting a rivalry from his 2015 AFCON final triumph over the Black Stars. He returns to a team he says has great momentum and room for improvement.

Hervé Renard’s return to the Ivory Coast dugout sets up a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana. The 57-year-old Frenchman, who led the Elephants to continental glory in 2015, will face the Black Stars on September 24 in Bouaké for his first competitive assignment back in charge.

Renard’s history with Ghana is significant. He masterminded Ivory Coast’s penalty shootout victory over the Black Stars in the 2015 AFCON final, a result that secured his legendary status in Ivorian football. His appointment this time comes after he was repeatedly linked with the vacant Ghana head coach position earlier this year, adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash.

Renard explains his decision

Speaking about his decision to return after eleven years, Renard pointed to the quality of the first-team squad and the positive momentum surrounding the team. "I accepted the challenge of returning to the Elephants eleven years later because they are a great team," he said. "They have players of exceptional quality, a country full of excitement and a fantastic momentum."

He also cited the team’s performance at the recent World Cup as a key factor, while acknowledging room for growth. "They had a great World Cup, and there is still room for improvement," Renard added. "That’s why I accepted the challenge of returning to Côte d’Ivoire." The coach noted the team's current standing, pointing out that Ivory Coast has accumulated six points from their first three matches in the World Cup qualification group, a solid foundation he aims to build upon.

Ghana's current context

The match arrives as Ghana handles its own World Cup campaign, where they currently sit third in their group with four points from three matches. Their recent form shows one win, two draws, and two defeats from the last five outings, including a 1-0 loss to Colombia in July. Key attackers Kamaldeen Sulemana and Iñaki Williams are currently sidelined, which will influence team selection for this key qualifier. The Black Stars' defensive record is also a concern, having conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game in their last five matches.

Renard is expected to name his first Ivory Coast squad on Wednesday, September 16. Following the Ghana game, his team will host Somalia on September 29 before a friendly against Cameroon on October 3. For Ghana, this fixture is the next entry on the fixtures calendar and a chance to build momentum ahead of further World Cup qualifiers. Fans can track the team’s progress and check the latest standings as the qualification phase unfolds.

Read the full report at GhanaSoccernet