Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his disappointment with the officiating in his team's 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké. The Portuguese coach described the penalty awarded to the hosts as "unfair". The decision, which came in the second half, allowed Côte d'Ivoire to double its advantage and left Ghana with a difficult task of mounting a comeback. Queiroz's comments were not directed at Côte d'Ivoire or its players, but rather at the referee's decision.
The penalty decision was made without the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. Queiroz questioned why VAR was not being used in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, describing it as the biggest football tournament on the continent. He emphasized the importance of using VAR to help referees make fair decisions. According to Queiroz, the absence of VAR technology made the game unfair.
Queiroz highlighted the impact of the penalty decision on the game's outcome. He argued that if the deficit had remained at one goal, Ghana would have had a better opportunity to respond. However, going two goals behind significantly increased the difficulty of recovering from the setback. The coach maintained that his team fought for their chances and opportunities throughout the match.
The loss to Côte d'Ivoire has made Ghana's task more difficult in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Black Stars will need to win their remaining matches to have a chance of advancing to the next round. Queiroz emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming matches and not dwelling on the past result.
Queiroz's criticism of the referee's decision was not a personal attack on Côte d'Ivoire or its players. He acknowledged the quality of the opposing team and their merit in winning the match. The coach's comments were solely focused on the referee's decision and its impact on the game's outcome.
The use of VAR technology has been a topic of discussion in African football. Queiroz's comments have highlighted the need for consistency in the use of VAR across all competitions. The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are a crucial part of the continent's football calendar, and the use of VAR technology could make a significant difference in the outcome of matches.
Ghana will look to bounce back from the loss when they face their next opponent in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming matches to have a chance of advancing to the next round. The Black Stars coach will look to make adjustments to his team's strategy and make the most of their remaining opportunities.
Key points
- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz criticizes penalty decision in 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire
- Queiroz questions the absence of VAR technology in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
- The loss makes Ghana's task more difficult in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
