Carlos Queiroz was left frustrated after Ghana opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.
The Black Stars boss praised his players for their fight, but he reserved his strongest words for the penalty that gave the hosts a two-goal cushion.
“That penalty is a joke,” Queiroz said after the game. “When we are 1-0 down and we fight for our chances, somebody should not come in and make that decision.”
The Portuguese coach felt the decision changed the balance of a tight contest. Ghana had chances to get back into the game, but the second goal left them with a much harder task.
Queiroz also questioned the absence of VAR in the qualifiers. “Why don’t we have VAR in an Africa Cup of Nations competition?” he asked, adding that the technology could help referees make key decisions more fairly.
His criticism was aimed at the officiating, not Côte d’Ivoire. Queiroz praised the hosts and said their players deserved credit for their performance.
The result will sting, but the coach saw positives in Ghana’s display. Côte d’Ivoire controlled more of the ball, yet Queiroz believes Ghana created the better attacking openings.
“We created more opportunities, more open chances than Côte d’Ivoire,” he said. Ghana failed to take those chances, with Augustine, Benjamin and Sibo among those who came close.
The first goal proved crucial. A fine strike from outside the box gave the hosts the lead after Ghana failed to close down the space.
The defeat also adds another chapter to a rivalry that has produced close contests over the years. Queiroz pointed to the head-to-head record and is already looking towards the return fixture in Accra.
“We are going to win,” he said. “When Côte d’Ivoire come, with all due respect, it will be our turn to win.”
For now, Ghana must regroup. Queiroz insists the loss has not damaged his team’s belief, with the Black Stars focused on recovering and responding in their next qualifier.
