The British High Commissioner Jon Benjamin has been involved in another social media storm this time with Avram Grant’s agent over the Ghana’s second-half performance against Uganda at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Saif Rubie, the representative of the Ghana coach, slammed Benjamin’s lamentations as ‘rubbish’ and described him as a ‘politician’ even though Britain’s representative is a diplomat.
Benjamin, who was supporting the Black Stars in the match against the Cranes, tweeted saying the Black Stars were ‘frustrating’ to watch after Ugandans pinned the Ghanaians to their half.
Benjamin tweeted: ‘Watching the Black Stars is sometimes every bit as frustrating as watching West Ham. What did Avram Grant say to them at half time?
Watching the Black Stars is sometimes every bit as frustrating as watching West Ham. What did Avram Grant say to them at half time?— Jon Benjamin (@JonBenjamin19) January 17, 2017
However Rubie did not take kindly to Benjamin’s statement and hit back Benjamin.
“Why do you talk so much rubbish? Stick to being a politician instead of a football pundit lol 3 points and solid performance is a good start,” the Black Stars coach’s agent wrote.
Why do you talk so much rubbish? Stick to being a politician instead of a football pundit lol 3 points and solid performance is a good start https://t.co/UyxYmvoKPC— Saif Rubie (@saifpr) January 17, 2017
Despite venting his frustration, Benjamin looked to have retracted as he hailed the importance of the Black Stars getting the maximum points against the tough customer.
“The only thing that really matters in the 1st game of a championship is winning. One more win or even two draws & the Black Stars go through,” Benjamin wrote.
The British diplomat’s seems to have elicited a retraction from Rubie was apologised for branding the High Commissioner as a ‘politician’ but he stood his ground on the comments.
“I’d like to publicly apologise to the honorable @JonBenjamin19 for calling him a politician when he’s in fact a career diplomat,” Rubie posted on Twitter subsequently.
“However @JonBenjamin19 assessment of the gaffer at half time in my opinion was rubbish but as fans we are all entitled to an opinion. :-)”
The British was subjected to social media vitriol late last year after he tweeted a joke that seemed to mock Ghana’s ex-president John Mahama who had lost an election a few days earlier.
The teams will return to action on January 21 for Group D’s second round of matches in Port-Gentil: Mali will face Ghana, while Egypt tackle Uganda.
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