‘Hard to accept we couldn’t go far but Lessons have been learnt’ – Osman Bukari on Ghana’s World Cup exit

Serbia Super Liga star Osman Bukari says lessons have been learnt from the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar for Ghana’s Black Stars.

He also thanked Ghanaians for unflinching support and love to the Black Stars team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament despite exiting in the group stages of the mundial.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity given to me to serve my country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Hard to accept we couldn’t go far. Lessons have been learnt.”

“Thank you Ghana for your immense support and love. I fervently believe we’ll come back stronger!”, he wrote on social media.

A 2-0 win for Uruguay in their Group H decider with Ghana prevented the Black Stars from enacting any sort of revenge for their quarter-final loss at the 2010 World Cup, but this pulsating victory for La Celeste at the 2022 edition came with a heavy price.

South Korea’s 2-1 win over Portugal in the corresponding group stage decider saw them leapfrog both Uruguay and Ghana late on, meaning they’ll progress to the last 16, and send both of these sides home despite Uruguay’s victory.

The build-up to the match had been dominated by Luis Suarez’s handball right at the end of extra-time in their 2010 knockout match. Asamoah Gyan’s miss proved fatal for Ghana 12 years ago, but captain Andre Ayew, the only remaining player from the 2010 squad, couldn’t avenge.