Ghana's Black Stars began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. The hosts scored twice to claim all three points, with Franck Kessié converting a penalty in the 58th minute after Malick Yalcouyé went down inside the box following a challenge from Ghana midfielder Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. The loss left Ghana at the bottom of Group C.
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed dissatisfaction with the penalty decision, questioning the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in AFCON qualifying matches. He stated that the lack of VAR allows referees to make incorrect decisions, which can significantly impact match outcomes. Queiroz emphasized that this situation is not only affecting Ghana but will also impact other teams in the future.
Queiroz highlighted the importance of VAR in ensuring fair play, stating that it is essential for making the game fair. He questioned the reason behind the absence of VAR in African football, particularly in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. According to Queiroz, the example set by African football will be reflected globally, and it is crucial to adopt VAR technology.
The Ghana national team will now focus on their upcoming match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29. Queiroz's side aims to bounce back from the disappointing loss and secure a positive result. The coach expressed confidence in his team's abilities, despite the setback.
The absence of VAR technology in African football has been a recurring issue, with several teams and coaches expressing concerns. Queiroz's comments add to the growing debate about the need for VAR in African competitions. The Ghana coach is not the only one to have criticized the lack of VAR, with other teams and officials also calling for its adoption.
Côte d'Ivoire's coach, Hervé Renard, declined to respond to Queiroz's comments about VAR. However, Queiroz remained optimistic about his team's chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. He emphasized that the team will learn from their mistakes and move forward.
The Black Stars' performance in the match was commendable, according to Queiroz, despite the loss. He expressed pride in his team's efforts and vowed that they will bounce back stronger. The team's focus now shifts to the upcoming match against The Gambia, where they aim to secure a positive result and get back on track in their qualifying campaign.
Key points
- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz criticizes the absence of VAR technology in AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
- The Black Stars lost their opening match 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire.
- Queiroz questions the reason behind the absence of VAR in African football.
