2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers: Controversy over Côte d’Ivoire’s penalty against Ghana, as Hervé Renard refuses to respond to Queiroz

After beating Ghana in Bouaké, the Côte d’Ivoire coach prefers to focus on the three points

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2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers: Controversy over Côte d’Ivoire’s penalty against Ghana, as Hervé Renard refuses to respond to Queiroz

24.09.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast

Ghana

Côte d’Ivoire began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in the best possible way. However, the Elephants’ 2-0 victory over Ghana in Bouaké was overshadowed by controversy over the penalty awarded to the hosts.

A controversial 2-0 victory

Hervé Renard’s men got the most important thing done. Malick Junior Yalcouyé opened the scoring before Franck Kessié converted a penalty in the second half to seal the victory. That spot-kick in particular, awarded by Mustapha Ghorbal after Abdul Fatawu’s foul on Yalcouyé, angered Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz, who described it as a “complete farce”.

The referee came into the game and created an imbalance. Congratulations to Côte d’Ivoire, but not the referee. I’m tired of referees doing a poor job in Africa - Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s defeat#JoySports pic.twitter.com/bbj6VnwD6d
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) September 25, 2026

Renard does not get involved

When asked about these comments, Hervé Renard chose to play them down.

The match was not perfect for my players, especially on a difficult pitch. But the most important thing was achieved: our players finished the match with a victory. As for the controversy raised by the Ghana coach, I will not respond to him.

In Group C, Côte d’Ivoire claimed three points at the start of their campaign. Ghana, meanwhile, must quickly regain their balance before facing Gambia in Accra on September 29.