AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Hervé Renard dismisses Ghana’s excuses after Cote d’Ivoire win

Cte dIvoire coach Herv Renard has dismissed the impact of Ghanas absences and the penalty decision after the Elephants defeated the Black Stars 2-0 in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade de la Paix in Bouak.Ghana went into Thursdays Group C encounter without several key players, including captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo.The Black Stars also fell further behind early in the second half after Cote dIvoire were awarded a controversial penalty. Referee Mustapha Ghorbal ruled that Abdul Fatawu had fouled Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouye inside the box, a decision that sparked debate.Television replays appeared to suggest there was minimal contact between the two players, with the decision potentially one that could have been overturned had VAR been available.Franck Yannick Kessie stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to double Cote dIvoires advantage.Renard, however, rejected suggestions that the result should be attributed to Ghanas absences or the penalty decision, pointing out that Cote dIvoire also had players missing.We were missing five or six players too. The penalty, the absences, there are so many excuses, Renard said.We won this game, and thats all that matters.Malick Yalcouye had earlier put Cote dIvoire ahead on the stroke of half-time before Kessies penalty sealed the victory.The result gives Cote dIvoire three points from their opening Group C fixture, while Ghana must now turn their attention to their next qualifier against The Gambia in Accra.