French coach Hervé Renard will take on the Black Stars in his first match as head coach of Ivory Coast, during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The experienced gaffer was announced as the new coach of the Elephants, tasked with propelling them to AFCON glory after their disappointing performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The game will be played in September 2026 in Abidjan, where Renard will be under pressure to secure victory, win the support of home fans, and make a strong mark on his return.

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Renard previously made history by leading Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON title, defeating the Black Stars on penalties to secure the trophy.

The upcoming clash is expected to be cagey, as Black Stars are desperate to qualify for the next AFCON after missing out on the previous edition, which drew heavy public criticism.

Ivory Coast parted ways with Emerse Faé after their World Cup exit, a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the knockout stage.

The 57-year-old Renard has also coached the national teams of Angola, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Zambia, winning the AFCON title with Zambia in 2012.

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