The Gambia Football Federation wishes to express our disappointment in the strongest possible terms in the manner in which the Ghana Vs The Gambia match was decided. A non-existent penalty robbed the Scorpions and secured Ghana a place in the group stages of the competition.
In this regard, the GFF wish to condemn the abhorrent officiating by the referee from Burkina Faso, Boukari Ouedraogo, who after giving several contentious decisions against our team and with the game heading to a penalty-shootout and in the 99th minute, awarded a non-existent penalty to the home side.
This decision by the referee prompted a Ghanaian news site, Joy Online, to write in its post-match report: “With 5 minutes of time added on and the game heading for the lotteries of penalty, a single kick from the spot was rather used to decide the game. Referee adjudged The Gambia defender to have handled the ball in the box, a decision which is even being disputed by the [Ghanaian] supporters.”
Considering the fact that this is the second consecutive time that we were robbed in broad daylight in a WAFU competition, the GFF therefore, shall formerly protest to WAFU and CAF for necessary action. We may also consider our participation in future WAFU competitions unless justice is seen to be done.
In conclusion therefore, the GFF would wish to commend the spirited performance of the Scorpions in keeping the adversary at bay. We also wish to commend the efforts of the Head Coach Omar K. Sise, the Technical Team, the Players and the entire delegation.
