Côte d’Ivoire head coach Hervé Renard has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Ghana counterpart Carlos Queiroz following the controversial penalty awarded to the Elephants in their 2-0 victory over the Black Stars.
Côte d’Ivoire made a winning start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in Bouaké, with Malick Yalcouye opening the scoring before Franck Yannick Kessie converted from the spot to secure all three points for the hosts.
The penalty decision, however, became one of the major talking points after referee Mustapha Ghorbal ruled that Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu had fouled Yalcouye inside the penalty area.
Queiroz was openly critical of the decision after the match, describing the penalty as a “complete joke” and questioning the referee’s call.
Renard, however, chose not to enter the debate, instead focusing on Côte d’Ivoire’s victory and the difficult conditions in which the game was played.
“The match wasn’t perfect for my players, especially on a difficult pitch. But the essential is there: my boys finished with the victory,” Renard said.
When asked about Queiroz’s comments and the controversy surrounding the penalty, the French coach made it clear that he had no intention of engaging in a public dispute with his Ghanaian counterpart.
“As for the controversy launched by the Ghanaian coach, I’m not going to respond to him,” Renard added.
The result gives Côte d’Ivoire three points from their opening Group C fixture, while Ghana leave Bouaké empty-handed.
The Black Stars will now turn their attention to their next qualifying assignment against The Gambia in Accra on September 29, where Queiroz’s side will be looking to respond with a positive result.
