Fatawu Issahaku has expressed his frustration over the referee’s decision to award a penalty against Ghana during the Black Stars’ defeat to Ivory Coast.
The Ghana international explained that his intention was not to kick the opposing player, but to prevent him from getting a shot away.
Speaking after the match, Issahaku said he was surprised by the referee’s decision and maintained that he did not deliberately commit a foul.
“I didn’t go to kick him. I went so he can’t shoot. I don’t know why the referee made that decision,” Fatawu Issahaku said.
The decision became a major talking point following the match, with the penalty having an impact on the contest and Ghana’s hopes of getting a positive result.
Issahaku’s comments suggest that he believed his challenge was aimed at stopping the attack rather than deliberately bringing down the opponent.
The defeat will now force Ghana to shift its attention to the next assignment, with The Gambia awaiting the Black Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.
Ghana will be expected to put the disappointment behind them and improve their performance in the upcoming encounter.
