Igdir FK forward Felix Afena-Gyan will spot the Number 9 jersey tonight, Thursday, September 24, when the Black Stars emerge from the tunnel to face their Ivorian counterparts.
Pre-match drama has invariably been centered on the mass withdrawal of players for the crucial opener to qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Among the players who withdrew due to injury was captain Jordan Ayew, who came under heavy criticism following his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With fringe players handed the late ticket to travel with the team to Bouake, the team is not expected to do any extraordinary miracle.
But a lot of eyes will be on those who can impress Coach Carlos Queiroz.
Felix Afena-Gyan comes in as one of the players handed a late call-up.
At the final training held at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Wednesday, the former AS Roma attacker was seen in the No. 9 strip, worn in the past decade by Jordan Ayew.
Jerseys marked out for some of the notable first-team players have also been given to relatively new players.
For instance, the No. 20 jersey worn by Mohammed Kudus has been handed to Augustine Boakye.
Others have had to change numbers. Olympique Lyonnais winger Ernest Nuamah has ditched his traditional No. 17 jersey for the No. 19 jersey, usually worn by now retired Inaki Williams.
Others still, like Alexander Djiku, Caleb Yirenkyi and all the three goalkeepers, maintained their identifiable numbers.
All await the clash at 7:00pm as the Black Stars begin another campaign to return to the flagship tournament on the continent.
