Renard Keeps His Distance as Penalty Dispute Follows Côte d’Ivoire’s Win Over Ghana

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | 26 September 2026 | Sports 

Côte d’Ivoire began its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2–0 victory over Ghana in Bouaké, but the result was overshadowed by a disputed second-half penalty that Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz strongly criticised.

Côte d’Ivoire coach Hervé Renard subsequently declined to engage in the controversy, saying he would not respond to Queiroz’s comments.

Renard Stays Silent as Penalty Controversy Follows Côte d’Ivoire Win

Penalty becomes the main talking point

The decisive incident came in the 58th minute, when referee Mustapha Ghorbal awarded Côte d’Ivoire a penalty after Ghana’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku challenged Malick Yalcouyé inside the penalty area.

Captain Franck Kessié converted the spot-kick to put the hosts 2–0 ahead.

Queiroz questioned the decision after the match, describing the penalty as a “joke” after seeing a replay on television. He also raised concerns about the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the competition.

The Ghana coach argued that VAR could have provided additional assistance to the referee in determining whether the challenge warranted a penalty.

Queiroz Questions Penalty Decision After Ghana’s Defeat

Renard refuses to enter the argument

Renard was asked about Queiroz’s criticism after the match but chose not to respond directly.

“As for the controversy launched by the Ghanaian coach, I’m not going to respond to him.”

Instead, the Côte d’Ivoire coach focused on his team’s result and acknowledged that the performance was not perfect, particularly given the condition of the playing surface.

Renard’s position leaves the penalty debate largely between Queiroz’s interpretation and the referee’s decision on the field.

Kessié Converts From the Spot to Double Côte d’Ivoire’s Lead

How the match unfolded

The opening goal came shortly before half-time when Yalcouyé scored on his competitive debut for Côte d’Ivoire.

The Brighton striker found the net in the 44th minute with a shot from outside the box, giving the home side a 1–0 lead at the interval. Kessié’s penalty later doubled the advantage.

Côte d’Ivoire therefore collected three points in the opening round of Group C.

The CAF competition format has six group matches, with the top two teams in groups without a co-host advancing to the finals. The 2027 tournament itself will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Ghana also questions the decision

The controversy has not been limited to Queiroz.

Fatawu Issahaku, whose challenge led to the penalty, also questioned the referee’s decision. He said his intention was to prevent Yalcouyé from shooting and disputed that he had made contact that warranted a penalty.

That means the incident has generated criticism from both the Ghana coaching staff and the player directly involved, while Côte d’Ivoire has maintained its focus on the result.

Queiroz calls for VAR

The Ghana coach’s broader criticism concerned the lack of VAR in the qualifying competition.

Queiroz argued that the technology could help reduce contentious decisions and improve confidence in refereeing decisions during major African competitions.

The question of VAR is separate from whether the specific challenge should have been penalised. A video review could potentially have provided another angle on the incident, but without VAR being available for the match, the referee’s on-field decision stood.

What the result means

The defeat leaves Ghana without a point after its opening Group C match, while Côte d’Ivoire starts its campaign with three points.

Ghana’s next qualifier is scheduled for 29 September, when the Black Stars host The Gambia in Accra. Côte d’Ivoire will continue its Group C campaign as it seeks to build on its opening victory.

Independent assessment

The penalty remains a disputed moment rather than an objectively settled controversy in the available post-match accounts. The referee awarded the spot-kick, Queiroz and Issahaku challenged the decision, while Renard declined to debate it publicly.

The clearest immediate consequence is therefore the result: Côte d’Ivoire 2–0 Ghana, with the penalty providing the main source of disagreement after the match.