Ivory Coast vs Ghana: Carlos Queiroz takes aim at referee and calls for VAR

After the 2-0 defeat in Bouaké, the Ghana coach denounces “a job that is not good”

Africa 25 September 2026 at 12:43

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Ivory Coast vs Ghana: Carlos Queiroz takes aim at referee and calls for VAR

29.09.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana

Gambia

Ghana's defeat Ghana to Ivory Coast (2-0) in Bouaké continues to cause a stir. Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz strongly criticised the refereeing and called for VAR to be introduced in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I cannot congratulate the referee”

At the centre of the criticism was Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal and the penalty he awarded to the Elephants for Abdul Fatawu's foul on Malick Yalcouyé, which was converted by Franck Kessié. Although Queiroz praised Ivory Coast's performance, he did not spare the officiating team. “Nothing to say about Ivory Coast. They played very well, really very well. All the players played well, congratulations to them. But I cannot extend the same congratulations to the referee,” the Portuguese coach said.

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

Queiroz calls for VAR

For the Ghana coach, who is originally from Mozambique, this situation illustrates the need for change. “We do not have VAR to help the referee make the game fairer. I was born in Mozambique, I grew up here. I am tired of these situations, of these referees who do not do a good job,” he insisted, calling for video assistant refereeing to be introduced in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

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