Confusion on social media over penalty incident against Ghana

Some sports personalities and football fans on social media are divided over a penalty incident during the Black Stars’ defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Ghana conceded the opening goal through a long-range strike from Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Malick Yalcouye, who beat Lawrence Ati-Zigi just before the end of the first half.

The second half started with little improvement from Ghana, as the team continued to concede chances and was unfortunate to find itself at the centre of another controversial incident.

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Ivorian goalscorer Yalcouye received the ball on the flank and drove into the box before attempting to cut the ball back. However, his attempt to get back to it was foiled as he went down.

Winger Fatawu Issahaku made slight contact with the Brighton player, and referee Mustapha Ghorbal deemed it a foul and awarded a penalty.

Reacting to the incident, some renowned sports pundits and journalists disagreed with the referee’s decision to award a penalty, arguing that there was not enough contact to warrant the call.

They noted that the contact made by Issahaku was not strong enough to be adjudged a foul, with some attributing the decision to the absence of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which meant the referee did not have an opportunity to review the incident.

However, some fans argued that once there was contact inside the box, whether strong or slight, Issahaku gave the referee grounds to make the decision, describing the incident as a 50/50 call.

Others urged fans to desist from focusing on the penalty controversy, arguing that the team’s overall performance on the day should be the main concern ahead of the subsequent games.

Read the reactions below:

I don’t think this was a penalty… pic.twitter.com/NIBpqB2EZd
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) September 24, 2026

It can be a penalty and also not.

But in this case, he awarded Ivory Coast a penalty because Ghana today is no longer a heavy nation to be scared of taken some decision against.

And this is exactly what the referee showed on the pitch. Ghana was seen as an underdog.
— TradeMark (@Trade_Mac_) September 24, 2026

They realized Ghana was coming into the game so had to do something fast. Clearly not a penalty. Match rigged
— Common sens3 (@nsuonemfraama) September 25, 2026

No VAR?
— ChrisK (@Christo16367201) September 24, 2026

Clear pen but soft some refs won’t give it but it’s justifiable
— 🩷 (@knai22) September 24, 2026

Its a clear penalty , there waa a contact
And the ivorian was in full contact of the ball
— THE LOTUS 🪷 (@dumsor_gh) September 25, 2026

You played poorly, struggled to keep possession, created very little chances, and now you’re complaining about penalty.
— gideonfoli (@gideonfoli7) September 24, 2026

That was a clear penalty he didn't go for the ball he just ran into his opponent
— Oluwaseun Bright (@mr_worldwide12) September 25, 2026

The Ghanian player step on the ivory Coast stud without aiming for the ball ,so definitely it's a penalty
— Emmyfol (@Emmyfol_) September 24, 2026

That's a disgraceful penalty to award. Too soft. It makes no sense at this level of the game
— Ọnụọha Udochukwu, E (@Udo_Casciavit) September 25, 2026

This penalty awarded for Cotè d’Ivoire by Moroccan referee Mustapha Ghorbal is damn too soft. That’s a proper Kale,

The Ivorians win 2-0 over Ghana in Herve Renard’s first game in his 3rd stint as Elephanrs coach. pic.twitter.com/SbSvkc8T5n
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) September 24, 2026