Coach Bashir Hayford believes poor officiating played a part in Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Mali at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The tournament hosts were left massively disappointed as critical defensive errors let the team down on Tuesday.

Goals from Bassira Toure and Aissata Traore were enough to hand the Black Queens who could only muster a consolation through Elizabeth Addo the crashing defeat.

Ghana had at least two fair penalty shouts waved off by referee Leticia Viana.

She was booed off by the home fans as she made her way into the tunnel after blowing the whistle to end the game.

And coach Bashir Hayford feels the referee from Swaziland had a hand in his team’s defeat.

“Some of the decisions of the referee were highly disappointing,” he said.

“It sort of broke the girls and I think it’s an area for the organizers to look into.”

Ghana’s chances of qualifying from Group A now hangs by a thread.

The Black Queens must secure a favourable result against favourites Cameroon in their final group game in order to progress.