Côte d’Ivoire coach Hervé Renard has chosen not to engage in the controversy surrounding Carlos Queiroz’s criticism of the penalty awarded to the Elephants in their 2-0 victory over Ghana.
The hosts opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a win in Bouaké, with Malick Yalcouyé putting Côte d’Ivoire ahead before Franck Yannick Kessié converted a second-half penalty to complete the victory.
The penalty decision became a talking point after referee Mustapha Ghorbal ruled that Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu had fouled Yalcouyé inside the box.
Queiroz was critical of the decision after the match, describing the penalty as “a complete joke” and questioning the call that allowed Côte d’Ivoire to double their advantage.
Renard, however, was more interested in the result than the controversy. The French coach admitted that his team did not produce a perfect performance, particularly on a difficult pitch, but was pleased to see his players secure all three points.
“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 on the penalty, Renard made it clear that he had no intention of getting involved in the debate.
“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 turn their attention to their next qualifier against The Gambia in Accra on September 29.
