Ghana’s head coach has launched a furious attack on match officials after the Black Stars’ goalless draw against England, insisting his side were denied a clear penalty and a red card in a controversial moment involving England defender Ezri Konsa and Ghana forward Prince Adu Kwabena.
Speaking after the tense 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L clash, the visibly frustrated Ghana coach accused the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team of failing to act on what he described as an obvious foul inside the penalty area.
“They’re very lucky. Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It was a clear penalty and a red card,” the Ghana coach said after the match.
Ghana Angry Over Ezri Konsa Challenge on Prince Adu
The biggest talking point from the game came when Prince Adu Kwabena appeared to be brought down in the box by Ezri Konsa during a dangerous Ghana attack. Replays from the incident appeared to show contact between the England defender and the Ghanaian forward, sparking immediate protests from Ghana players and supporters.
Despite appeals from the Black Stars bench and fans, no penalty was awarded, and the VAR team did not intervene to overturn the on-field decision.
The incident has since generated widespread debate, with many football fans and pundits arguing that Ghana had a strong case for a spot-kick and that England may have escaped a major punishment.
Wayne Rooney Joins Debate Over Ghana Penalty Claim
The controversy has continued to dominate post-match discussions, with former England striker Wayne Rooney also reportedly suggesting that Ghana had a valid claim for a penalty following the challenge.
Rooney’s reaction has added more fuel to the debate, especially as social media users continue to analyze the incident and question why VAR did not recommend a review.
For many Ghanaian supporters, the decision could prove costly in a tightly contested group stage campaign where every point matters.
Black Stars Hold England But Feel Hard Done By
Despite the controversy, Ghana delivered a strong performance against England and produced several dangerous moments throughout the game. The Black Stars enjoyed dominant spells, pressed high at times, and created opportunities that troubled the English defense.
England also had chances of their own, but Ghana remained disciplined at the back and managed to keep the game level, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw.
While the result keeps Ghana’s hopes of progressing from Group L alive, the Black Stars camp clearly felt they should have taken more from the match had the penalty decision gone their way.
VAR Decision Likely to Remain Major Talking Point
The fallout from the controversial moment is expected to continue in the days ahead, with fans, analysts, and former players already divided over the officiating.
For Ghana, the focus will now shift to the next group game, but the frustration over the penalty incident is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
With qualification still within reach, the Black Stars will hope to put the controversy behind them and turn their attention to securing the results needed to advance in the tournament.