Sports
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Renard responds to Queiroz over ‘complete joke’ penalty claim
Côte d’Ivoire coach Hervé Renard has refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz’s criticism of the penalty awarded to the Elephants in their 2-0 victory in Bouaké.
The hosts secured all three points in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with Malick Yalcouye opening the scoring before Franck Yannick Kessie converted a second-half penalty to seal the win.
Queiroz labelled the penalty decision “a complete joke” after referee Mustapha Ghorbal ruled that Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu had fouled Yalcouye inside the box.
Renard acknowledged that the match was not flawless for his team, particularly given the condition of the pitch, but was satisfied with the result.
“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.
Asked about the controversy raised by Queiroz, the French coach declined to respond.
“As for the controversy launched by the Ghanaian coach, I’m not going to respond to him,” he added.
The victory gives Côte d’Ivoire three points from their opening Group C fixture, while Ghana must now regroup ahead of their next qualifier against The Gambia in Accra on September 29.
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
