Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed frustration over the lack of VAR in African football following the Black Stars' 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match, played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, was decided by goals from Malick Yalcouyé in the first half and Franck Kessié after the break. Kessié's goal came from a disputed penalty, which drew a sharp response from Queiroz.
The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician questioned the standard of refereeing on the continent, citing the penalty that led to Kessié's goal as a key moment in the game. Queiroz believes VAR would have given the referee the tools needed to make a more accurate call and produce a fairer outcome on the night. He asked, "Why don't we have VAR in Africa? What is the reason we don't have VAR in an African Cup of Nations?"
Queiroz went further, suggesting that poor officiating is a persistent problem across the continent. He expressed his concerns, given his own African roots, having been born in Mozambique and grown up on the continent. The coach's comments highlight the challenges faced by African teams in competing at the highest level, with Queiroz calling for improved refereeing standards.
The defeat places immediate pressure on the Ghana squad as they look ahead to their next qualifier against The Gambia on September 29. The Black Stars were unable to mount a comeback and leave Bouaké with nothing from their first Group C outing. The result underlines the work Queiroz will need to do to steady the team's AFCON qualification campaign.
Ghana had already conceded Yalcouyé's opener before Kessié converted the disputed penalty to put the result beyond doubt. The team's inability to score and capitalize on scoring opportunities was a significant factor in their defeat. The Black Stars face a difficult task in Group C, with their next match against The Gambia crucial in their qualification hopes.
Earlier, it was reported that five key lessons were learned from Ghana's defeat, including the lack of impact from midfielders Kwasi Sibo and Caleb Yirenkyi. Côte d'Ivoire controlled the game, with their midfield dominating proceedings. The defeat highlights the areas that Queiroz needs to address to improve the team's performance.
The absence of VAR in African football has been a recurring issue, with many coaches and players calling for its introduction. Queiroz's comments add to the growing debate on the need for VAR in African competitions. The Ghana coach's concerns are shared by many in the football community, who believe that VAR can help improve the accuracy of refereeing decisions and enhance the overall competitiveness of African football.
Key points
- Carlos Queiroz criticizes VAR absence in African football after Ghana's 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire.
- The Ghana coach questions the standard of refereeing on the continent, citing a disputed penalty in the match.
- The defeat places pressure on Ghana to perform well in their next qualifier against The Gambia on September 29.
