The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has turned to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for assistance after hundreds of Ghanaian supporters travelled to Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire, for the Black Stars’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier without securing match tickets.
About 500 Ghanaian fans are currently in the Ivorian city ahead of Thursday’s Group C encounter between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix.
The supporters made the journey across the border hoping to watch the Black Stars begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign from the stands. However, they have been unable to obtain tickets after the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced that available tickets for the fixture had been sold out.
GFA seeks additional ticket allocation
The Ghana FA said its official ticket allocation was received during Wednesday’s Match Coordination Meeting.
However, the number of tickets allocated to Ghana was not enough to meet the demand from the large contingent of Ghanaian fans who had travelled to Bouake.
In response, the GFA formally contacted CAF and requested an additional batch of approximately 500 tickets.
The association said the request was aimed at giving the supporters who travelled specifically for the match an opportunity to enter the stadium and cheer on the Black Stars.
The matter has also been brought before the match commissioner, who has reportedly indicated a willingness to assist in finding a solution.
Fans travel to support the Black Stars
The ticket issue has created uncertainty for Ghanaian supporters who are already in Bouake for the important qualifying fixture.
For many of the travelling fans, attending an away match involves significant costs, including transportation, accommodation and other expenses. The GFA’s request to CAF is therefore focused on finding additional space for supporters who have already made the trip.
The association said it remains committed to helping the Ghanaian fans gain access to the stadium.
The situation also comes against the backdrop of wider ticket concerns in Bouake. Earlier reports indicated that some supporters in the host city had raised concerns about the availability and distribution of tickets for the fixture.
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire prepare for AFCON qualifier
The ticket dispute comes just hours before Ghana faces Côte d’Ivoire in a crucial Group C fixture.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. It represents the opening Group C qualifier for both sides as they begin their campaigns for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The group also includes The Gambia and Somalia.
Ghana’s Black Stars will be hoping to begin the qualification process with a positive result on Ivorian soil, while the hosts will have the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters.
The encounter is also attracting attention because it brings together two prominent West African football nations with a long history of competitive meetings.
CAF intervention could resolve the problem
The GFA’s appeal now places the ticket situation in the hands of CAF and the relevant match officials.
The Ghanaian association has specifically asked for an additional block of around 500 tickets, matching the estimated number of supporters who are currently without access to the stadium.
Whether the extra allocation can be secured before kick-off remains dependent on discussions among CAF, the GFA, the Ivorian Football Federation and match officials.
For Ghanaian supporters in Bouake, the immediate priority is gaining entry to the Stade de la Paix so they can watch the Black Stars’ opening AFCON 2027 qualifier.
The GFA has assured the travelling fans that it will continue pursuing the matter, while the match commissioner has also been informed of the situation.
With the highly anticipated Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire clash approaching, attention will now turn to whether additional tickets can be released and how many of the stranded Ghanaian supporters will ultimately be able to take their places inside the stadium.
