Ghana's Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz, has expressed frustration over the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision not to use Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This criticism comes after Ghana's recent defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in their Group C qualifier. The match saw a controversial penalty awarded to Côte d'Ivoire, which Queiroz believes could have been avoided with the use of VAR.
The incident in question occurred in the 55th minute of the match, where Malick Yalcouyé of Côte d'Ivoire was brought down by Ghana's Fatawu Issahaku in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, but replays suggested that the contact between the two players was minimal. Without VAR, the decision could not be reviewed, leading to Queiroz's post-match criticism. He questioned the rationale behind not using VAR in such high-stakes matches.
Queiroz emphasized the importance of using VAR in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, citing the need for fairness in the game. He pointed out that the absence of VAR in these competitions sends a negative message to the world. The Black Stars coach also expressed his concerns about the standard of refereeing in African football, suggesting that it has a significant impact on match outcomes.
The defeat to Côte d'Ivoire was a setback for Ghana, but they will have the opportunity to respond in the return fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday. Queiroz will be looking to make adjustments and secure a positive result for his team. The use of VAR, if implemented, could potentially play a crucial role in future matches.
CAF's decision not to use VAR in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers has raised questions about the consistency and fairness of refereeing across the continent. Queiroz's comments have sparked a debate about the need for technological assistance in refereeing decisions. The Black Stars coach is not alone in his concerns, as many others in the football community have called for greater use of VAR.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers continue with more matches scheduled in the coming weeks. Ghana's performance in these qualifiers will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the tournament. The team will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming match against Côte d'Ivoire, with Queiroz likely to make tactical adjustments.
The controversy surrounding VAR in African football is set to continue, with Queiroz's comments adding fuel to the debate. CAF will face pressure to reconsider its stance on VAR usage in future competitions. The Black Stars' upcoming match against Côte d'Ivoire will be closely watched, with many expecting a tough and closely contested encounter.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz criticizes CAF for not using VAR in 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- Ghana's Black Stars suffered a defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in their Group C qualifier.
- Queiroz questions the fairness and consistency of refereeing in African football without VAR.
