Sports
Ghanaians cannot forgive Suarez …10 years after handball incident
“For me, the Uruguay game is a game I think we won.” John Paintsil says, looking back on one of the most dramatic matches in men’s World Cup history: the 2010 quarter-final between Ghana and Uruguay in Johannesburg.
The reality, though, is Ghana did not win. A handball by Luis Suarez stopped a certain goal bound shot deep into injury time, in one of the most controversial and memorial moments of that tournament. Suarez was sent off – but Ghana missed the resulting spot kick and, ultimately, went out on penalties after extra time.
The pain for Paintsil and his teammate Hans Sarpei still lingers, ten years on. For many Ghanaians, Luis Suarez is perpetrator of one of the greatest crimes in the country’s sporting history.
“We were cheated,” Paintsil says.
“To clear the ball from the line with your hand – it’s supposed to be a goal.”
Living in Ghana as he now does, Paintsil says people still keep talking about the incident.
“I can’t forgive him because it was not an accident.” Sarpei adds.
“He knows what he has done. We were crying and you see someone who has cheated us is celebrating. How can I forgive him? Never. Never ever.”
On the July 2, 2010, Ghana had the football hopes of a whole continent on their shoulders.
South Africa was the host of Africa’s first World Cup – but Bafana Bafana was unable to make it past the group stage despite a valiant effort.
The other African teams had all been eliminated at the same point, leaving just the Black Stars in the competition.
“On the way to the game against Uruguay, I think everybody knew we could beat them – I think the whole world was supporting us.” left-back Sarpei says.
“The way we play the game: we’re playing on the front, we’re attacking in front. We try to enjoy the game. When you see Ghana, it’s like you’re listening to music because the ball is flowing.”
Ghana took the lead on the stroke of half-time via a 40-yard thunderbolt from former Portsmouth and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari.
But Diego Forlan equalised with an exquisite free-kick and the two teams proceeded to play out in an engrossing contest – undoubtedly one of the best games of the competition – with both teams spurning chances throughout the game.
But it’s the final few minutes of the match that will forever live in World Cup infamy.
Ghana won a free-kick on the edge of the box, which was whipped in by Paintsil. In an ensuing goalmouth scramble, Suarez legitimately cleared a shot off the line from Captain Steven Appiah – before, seconds later, palming Dominic Adiyiah header away from goal.
“For me, I thought, ‘last man on the line, touch it with his hand, it’s supposed to be a goal’ – so I was already celebrating that we were through.” Paintsil recalls.
“Then I saw it was a penalty and I said, ‘What?’ I was shouting, ‘No, no, take the ball to the centre (circle), take the ball to the centre.’”
Suarez was sent off, leaving the field in tears, whilst the Ghanaian players began to celebrate.
“I think everybody from our side was thinking ‘yeah, we’re going to the semi-final’ because Asamoah Gyan had scored two penalty goals before and he made it look easy.” Sarpei says.
Gyan had been talismanic for Ghana in the tournament, leading the line and scoring the winner in the previous round against the United States – a game which had also gone to extra time.
“I was standing there and for me the ball was going into the net and we are going through to the next round.” Sarpei recalls.
“Then it hit the crossbar and my first thought was like, ‘is this real?’ Really? The ball is not into the net? What is happening? What is the problem?’
“And then it was difficult. At this moment, when he didn’t score and we had to go to the penalty shootout, the feeling was like, now it will be difficult to go to the next round.”
Suarez, who had stopped in the tunnel to watch the penalty, was pictured celebrating when Gyan missed – something that still rankles with Paintsil.
“After the penalty was missed you came out and then celebrated like you’re on top of the world by hurting people. At least be a professional, feel the pain. Just go to your dressing room and celebrate and then nobody will see it.”
Suarez was quoted in the press saying “the hand of God now belongs to me”, referencing Diego Maradona’s goal against England at the 1970 World Cup.
Ghana would go on to lose via a penalty shootout and with it went Africa’s golden opportunity to win a World Cup.
In the two tournaments since, no African team has come close to reaching the semi-final stage.
The match against Ghana is where Luis Suarez first gained international notoriety. Six months later, he joined Liverpool from Dutch giants Ajax.
Suarez took a gamble that helped his country get into its first semi-final since 1970, but they were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands without him.
“One has to do what one has to do to make his country proud and that’s what he did to us,” says Paintsil – but asked if put in the same position as Suarez, whether he would handle the ball, he was adamant.
“There’s no African player that would have done that,” he argues.
“Africans are more athletic. Even when the ball is on the other line, I would have tried to kick the ball, kung-fu style.”
They say time heals old wounds. But 10 years on, the wound still appears to be open for Hans and John.
“It still pains. I’m still feeling it anytime I think about it,” says Pantsil.
“A lot of things would have changed in Ghanaian football, in our country and also in Africa. Maybe adding numbers to the next World Cup, the more an African team goes forward, the more we can add more countries to our package. For me I don’t know when I’m going to forget about this memory but now it’s part of me.” –BBC
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
Ghana football is facing a difficult moment as the Black Stars fight to avoid missing another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. In the same vein, the Black Queens preparing for a major test in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
But at a time when both teams need serious attention, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed the Black Queens Head Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, to lead the Black Stars on an interim basis for their crucial November AFCON qualifiers against Somalia.
The Swedish coach will work with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistant coaches, while former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda will handle the goalkeepers.
The decision has sparked debate among football followers, with some questioning why the Black Queens coach should take charge of the Black Stars when the women’s team also have an important tournament ahead.
Others believe the GFA has made the right decision by using a coach who already understands Ghanaian football and can work with experienced assistants to help the Black Stars recover.
For a country still disappointed by the Black Stars failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the pressure is growing.
Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign has started badly with defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving the team without a point in Group C.
The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results led to the departure of Carlos Queiroz and the search for a new technical direction.
The November matches against Somalia now offer Ghana a chance to recover. Another poor performance, however, could make the road to qualification even more difficult.
Some sports observers believe Björkegren should have been allowed to concentrate on the Black Queens, leaving Tanko and Attram to lead the Black Stars in the two matches against Somalia.
Their concern is that the women’s team could lose valuable attention at a time when it needs careful preparation for the World Cup play offs.
The Black Queens will take part in the preliminary stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-off tournament in Morocco from November 28 to December 5.
Ghana will face Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea as it seeks to move closer to securing a place at the World Cup in Brazil.
The team has already taken an important step by beating Côte d’Ivoire in the continental play off to secure a place in the intercontinental tournament.
However, the Queens still have a difficult task ahead and their preparation will be important if they are to achieve their World Cup dream.
Those who disagree with the criticism of Björkegren’s appointment argue that the coach can manage the temporary assignment with the support of Tanko and Attram.
They believe his experience with the national teams could help the Black Stars while the existing technical structure could help maintain preparations for the Black Queens.
The GFA has defended its decision. Its Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum, has explained that the appointment was made after considering the coaches already working within Ghana’s football system and the need to find an interim solution.
The association has also said both national teams will receive the technical and operational support needed to prepare for their respective competitions.
The big question is whether the arrangements will work in practice especially if both teams need the coach’s attention at the same time.
Beyond the coaching debate, another question continues to trouble Ghanaian football lovers; are the Black Stars struggling because of the players, the coaches or problems within the football system?
The two opening defeats exposed weaknesses in the team’s defence, organisation and ability to respond when matches become difficult.
These problems cannot automatically be blamed on one coach. The players must also accept responsibility for their performances on the pitch.
At the same time, frequent changes in technical leadership can make it difficult for a team to develop a clear playing style and build confidence.
When coaches are changed repeatedly, new technical teams often have limited time to understand the players, introduce their ideas and prepare for important matches.
Tanko’s experience in Ghana football and Attram’s involvement in the national team setup could help the Black Stars during this difficult period but their work will ultimately be judged by the team’s performances against Somalia.
The players too must turn their individual ability into strong team performances. Ghana cannot depend on reputation alone to secure qualification.
The GFA must also examine whether its approach to coaching appointments and long term planning is helping the national teams achieve their goals.
The current situation is a test of the GFA’s ability to manage two important national assignments at the same time.
The Black Stars need to recover from their poor start and keep their AFCON hopes alive. The Black Queens, meanwhile, need proper preparation to continue their journey towards the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The women’s team should not be treated as less important simply because the Black Stars attract greater public attention.
Björkegren’s work with the Black Queens, including Ghana’s bronze medal finish at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has helped build expectations around the team.
Their progress into the World Cup play offs has given supporters another reason to believe they can reach the global competition.
The GFA must therefore make sure the temporary appointment does not affect the Queens’ training, tactical preparation or analysis of their opponents.
In the end, the success of the decision will depend on results. The Black Stars must earn the points needed to revive their qualification hopes, while the Black Queens must prepare well for their matches in Morocco.
Ghana’s football problems may not be caused by players or coaches alone. They may also reflect the need for more stable technical leadership, better preparation and stronger planning by football administrators.
For now, the GFA has made its choice. The coming matches will show whether the decision was the right one or whether the country has taken a risk at a time when both national teams have so much to play for.
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Accra Hearts of Oak will aim to assume the top spot of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) when they travel to Tema to face Vision FC at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex today.
Perched at the second spot and trailing leaders Medeama with three points, the Phobians would need to snatch the maximum points and a superior goal aggregate to have a taste of the top spot, at least for a day.
It will be a game full of fireworks considering Hearts’ impressive performance on the road against Vision’s strength at home.
The Matchday 6 games would also witness a Saturday clash between Heart of Lions and Berekum Chelsea FC at the Kpando Stadium.
Asante Kotoko’s home clash against Young Apostles will headline tomorrow’s games as they aim to bounce back after the previous week’s defeat in Swedru.
At the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, FC Samartex will test Medeama SC’s character when they clash in what could affect their respective positions on the table after the round seven matches.
After the giant-killing feat over Asante Kotoko, Swedru All Blacks will lock horns with Karela United at the Swedru Stadium just as Basake Holy Stars engage Bechem United at the AAK II Sports Arena,
Fireworks is anticipated at the Debibi Presby Park in the Bono region where Debibi United FC look poised to face Gold Stars.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, Aduana FC will welcome FC Ashantigold in a clash that will see fans applaud afternoon.
By Andrew Nortey
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