Otto Addo was understandably looking for excuses, as losers are expected to, after Ghana’s 2-3 defeat to Portugal in their 2022 Fifa World Cup opener in Qatar.
The Black Stars coach pointed to the penalty given to Cristiano Ronaldo as the turning point of the game, arguing that the American referee “gifted” the world superstar his historic goal that saw him become the first player to score at five World Cup finals.
Granted it was debatable as to whether Mohammed Salisu really fouled Ronaldo. But the reality of the matter was that Ghana did not lose that tie in the 63rdIt was what happened immediately thereafter, and not the earlier penalty decision, that proved to be the turning point of the game. With the score at 1-1 with about a quarter of an hour remaining, Addo felt his team could play out a stalemate and get the point. And so he decided to make a double change, immediately after the goal.For starters, football connoisseurs know that one of the most dangerous times in a game is immediately after a goal. Players are always advised by their coaches, teammates on the bench and captains on the pitch to switch on and keep shape after scoring.
Those changes at such a time meant that Ghana had to make some adjustments on the pitch and they were still at it when Portugal regained the lead. Ayew actually missed the goal, the Ghana captain was still in an embrace with the other substitutes congratulating him for his goal whenCue shock and frustration on the son of the great Abedi Pele’s face. But he could do nothing to rally and cajole his teammates into a fightback, seated as he was out in the dugout then.
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