The Group C qualifier kicks off at 19:00 GMT (20:00 WAT) at the Stade de Bouaké.
Both teams are led by experienced coaches and feature high-profile players, making this one of the most anticipated opening fixtures of the qualifying campaign.
Ivory Coast Outlook
Hervé Renard returns for a second spell in charge of the Elephants after replacing Emerse Faé following their World Cup exit. The Frenchman previously guided Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON title.
Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande is the standout name in the squad following his high-profile transfer from RB Leipzig. Other key figures include Franck Kessié, Nicolas Pépé, Ibrahim Sangaré and Amad Diallo (who is currently injured and will miss the match).
Predicted Ivory Coast lineup:
Fofana; Doué, Koussounou, O. Diomande, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, Inao; Pépé, Bonny, Y. Diomande
Ghana Outlook
Carlos Queiroz takes charge of the Black Stars as they look to recover from a disappointing World Cup campaign and a failure to qualify for the last AFCON.
Ghana are heavily depleted by injuries. Captain Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus are all absent, significantly weakening their attacking options.
Predicted Ghana lineup:
Asare; Oppong, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Yirenkyi, Sibo, Donkor; Issahaku, Thomas-Asante, Nuamah
Group Context
The Gambia and Somalia complete Group C. Ghana will face The Gambia next, while Ivory Coast travel to Somalia in the following round of fixtures.
Ivory Coast are three-time AFCON champions (most recently in 2023), while Ghana have four titles but have not lifted the trophy since 1982. The two sides have a long and competitive history, with Ghana holding the edge in overall meetings.