AFCON 2023: Central African Republic blame referee for elimination
Accusations have been levelled at the Kenyan referee who officiated Ghana's match against the Central African Republic on Thursday 7 September
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The coach of the Central African Republic, Raoul Savoy, was visibly upset after his side lost 2-1 to Ghana on Thursday 7 September. The French coach even cursed the Black Stars ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. After the match, Savoy made no attempt to hide his frustration, suggesting Ghana would perform as poorly at the coming AFCON as they had at the previous tournament. At AFCON 2021, Ghana had collected just one point and gone out early in the group stage.
He went further, accusing Kenyan referee Peter Waweru of favouring Ghana with his decisions. Savoy did not mince his words. "Your next AFCON will be like the last one," the Central African Republic coach predicted.
That was enough to raise tempers in the press conference room at the Kumasi stadium. But the outcome was already settled. The Central African Republic will have to try again in the next qualifying campaign as they seek their first appearance at an AFCON finals.
Jim CEESAY