2027 AFCONQ: The penalty decision was a ‘joke’ – Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s loss to Ivory Coast

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has labelled the penalty that helped Ivory Coast seal a 2-0 win over the Black Stars in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier as “a joke”.

The Portuguese coach criticised the decision after watching a replay of the incident that led to the hosts doubling their advantage in Thursday’s Group C clash at the Stade de Bouaké.

Malick Yalcouyé had given Ivory Coast a deserved lead shortly before half-time before the decisive moment arrived early in the second half.

Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was ruled to have fouled Yalcouyé inside the penalty area, and Franck Kessié converted from the spot to put the Elephants firmly in control.

Queiroz, however, insisted the award should never have stood.

“That penalty, it’s a joke. The penalty, it is a joke. I just saw it on the television,” he said after the match.

“Because I need to be quiet and polite. It was 1-0 down. I don’t think that Ivory Coast needed the referee to come inside the game and create an unbalanced situation.”

The 73-year-old argued that the decision came at a pivotal stage, with Ghana attempting to find an equaliser after conceding late in the first half.

“You guys who can see the television, it is a joke. It is a joke, that penalty,” Queiroz added.

“When we were 1-0 down and we fought for our chances, we fought for our opportunities, comes somebody that should not play and make unbalanced the game.”

The result leaves Ghana bottom of Group C without a point after their opening match, while Ivory Coast begin their qualifying campaign with three points.

The Black Stars now return to Accra to face Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September.

Ghana are seeking a return to the AFCON finals after missing out on qualification for the 2025 tournament in Morocco – their first absence from the competition in more than 20 years.