Hervé Renard made a winning return as Côte d’Ivoire head coach as the Elephants beat Ghana 2–0 in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Bouaké on Thursday.
Malick Yalcouyé marked his international debut with the opening goal shortly before half-time, firing home from just outside the box after being teed up by Franck Kessié.
The 20-year-old’s effort beat Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi at his near post to give the hosts a 1–0 lead in the Group C encounter.
Kessié doubled Côte d’Ivoire’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Yalcouyé was brought down in the box by Fatawu Issahaku.
The result gives Renard a winning start to his second spell in charge of the Elephants and his first competitive match since returning to the post.
The Frenchman was reappointed after Emerse Fae’s contract was not renewed following Côte d’Ivoire’s last-32 exit at the World Cup.
Renard previously led Côte d’Ivoire to the 2015 AFCON title, adding to the continental triumph he achieved with Zambia in 2012.
That success made him the first coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries.
Renard will now set his sights on a third AFCON title when the tournament is staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next year.
