Uganda World Cup Qualifier -Ghana’s hopes of participating in the 2019 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia was shattered after referee Daniel Bennett reportedly denied the Black Stars a match winner against Uganda in 2018 World Cup qualifying on Saturday, October 7, 2017.
The South African referee who officiated Ghana’s match with Uganda on Saturday disallowed a last-minute strike by the Black Stars for what many believed to be offside.
See Also: Congo Victory: Asamoah Gyan Paid $62,000 for Black Stars Return from Brazaville
The Black Stars — third in Group E going into the match in Kampala — needed a win to keep their hopes alive of making the finals in Russia.
It was at the 93rd minute when Ghana’s Raphael Dramena converted a shot only for the referee to cancel the goal just before the final whistle. Television replays show the goal should have stood, but authorities have at the moment, not reacted to the development.
Dropping the two points sees the Black Stars on the brink of elimination in their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia
The result from the Uganda clash left the Black Stars with just six points from five matches and they are yet to win at home having drawn with both Uganda and Congo in Tamale and Kumasi respectively.
Other Missed Opportunities at the Ghana/Uganda World Cup Qualifier
The Black Stars who came fully prepared missed a lot of goal scoring opportunities at the clash with the Cranes of Uganda. The first was a perfectly valid goal chalked-off in the first half, and following that was a strong penalty appeal turned down later in the game.
If Ghana had benefitted from these lost opportunities, the game would have ended 3-0 to Ghana – a result that would have seen them leapfrog Uganda into second in Group E.
GHANA has lodged a complaint to FIFA following the reported match manipulation. Part of the statement from the Ghana FA read: “The GFA filed the protest to Fifa, immediately after the match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala”
The GFA demanded FIFA to examine the supposed offside goal as well as other irregularities in the match.
Gyan Denied Opportunity to Add to His World Cup Goals
The goalless draw at the Uganda clash also deprived Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan the opportunity to add to his World Cup tally of goals at the global stage.
In his last three World Cup appearances, The 31-year-old has scored 6 goals, breaking the record previously held by Cameroon legend Roger Milla.
Gyan who was looking forward to adding to his tally, will, however, end up watching the tournament on TV.
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