Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has slammed the penalty decision that helped Côte d'Ivoire beat the Black Stars 2-0 in their 2027 AFCON qualifier in Bouaké.

Ghana were already trailing to Malick Yalcouyé's first-half strike when referee Mustapha Ghorbal awarded the hosts a penalty, ruling that Abdul Fatawu Issahaku had fouled Yalcouyé inside the box. Franck Kessié converted to double Côte d'Ivoire's lead and take control of the Group C opener.

The defeat leaves Ghana without a point from their opening qualifier, while Côte d'Ivoire take an early lead in the race for Group C.

Queiroz said he was convinced the penalty was wrong after watching a replay. "That penalty, it's a joke. The penalty, it is a joke. I just saw it on the television," he said after the match.

The Portuguese coach argued Ghana were still fighting their way back into the game when the decision changed its course. "Because I need to be quiet and polite. It was 1-0 down, 1-0 down. I don't think that Ivory Coast needed the referee to come inside the game and create an unbalanced situation," he added.

He suggested the call handed the hosts a decisive advantage at a crucial moment. "You guys who can see the television, it is a joke. It is a joke, that penalty. And when we were 1-0 down and we fight for our chances, we fight for our opportunities, comes somebody that should not play and make unbalanced the game," he said.

Ghana will look to bounce back when they host The Gambia in their next Group C qualifier in Accra on September 29, 2026.