Carlos Queiroz Slams ‘Joke’ Penalty as Ghana’s 2027 AFCON Qualifying Campaign Starts with Defeat

Ghana’s quest for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began on a disappointing note as the Black Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké. Goals from Malick Yalcouyé and a second-half penalty from Franck Kessié secured the win for the hosts, leaving Ghana at the bottom of Group C after the first round of matches. Despite the scoreline, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed pride in his team’s effort, arguing that the Black Stars created more scoring opportunities than their opponents but were undone by clinical finishing and a controversial officiating decision.

Queiroz was particularly vocal in his criticism of the penalty awarded against Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, which led to the second goal. Describing the decision as a "joke," the coach claimed the incident fundamentally altered the match's momentum at a time when Ghana was still very much in contention. Issahaku himself later denied making contact with the Ivorian attacker, stating he did not kick his opponent. This frustration led Queiroz to formally call for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in AFCON qualifiers to ensure fair outcomes in high-stakes matches. In contrast, Côte d’Ivoire’s coach Hervé Renard sidestepped the controversy during post-match interviews, choosing instead to focus on the significance of the three points while acknowledging that the pitch conditions made for an imperfect performance from both sides.

The defeat has sparked intense scrutiny of the team’s current form and individual performances. Midfielder Kwasi Sibo faced significant backlash on social media for his display in Bouaké, and statistical analysis reveals an alarming trend: the Black Stars have won only one of their last 11 matches, suffering eight defeats since November 2025. This run of form has heightened pressure on Queiroz, especially as comparisons are drawn to the tenure of his predecessor, Otto Addo. While the Black Stars struggled for midfield control in Bouaké, forward Brandon Thomas-Asante has urged the Ghanaian public to remain steadfast and rally behind the team as they attempt to navigate this difficult period.

Ghana’s path to qualification has become significantly more complex following The Gambia’s 2-1 victory over Somalia, which puts the Scorpions level on points with Côte d’Ivoire at the top of Group C. Now sitting three points behind their primary rivals, the Black Stars face a must-win situation in their next fixture against The Gambia on September 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium. Despite the opening setback, Queiroz remains defiant, expressing "no doubt" that his side will level the historical head-to-head record when the Elephants visit Accra later in the campaign. For now, the focus shifts to the upcoming home fixture, where a win is crucial to keep their 2027 AFCON hopes alive.