The coach of the Ugandan national football team has expressed disappointed at Tunisian referee Said Kordi’s decision to award a penalty against his team in their 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana in Kumasi, on Saturday.
The referee pointed to the spot early in the second half after Ghanaian striker Abdul Majeed Waris went down in the box after an innocuous challenge from a Ugandan defender.
Andre Ayew stepped up to convert the penalty to give the Black Stars a 1-1 draw after the Ugandans had taken a shock first-half lead.
Milutin Sredojevic, speaking at the post-match press conference however, stated that Waris tripped himself and a penalty should never have been given against his side.
“I absolutely disagree with the penalty decision because from my angle and the referee’s angle, it was not a penalty. The players were going away from the goal and I think the Ghanaian player merely tripped himself.”
“I personally believe it shouldn’t have been a penalty even though I respect the decision of the referee. But the whole Africa, they know football and will all have the chance to watch it again and let everybody judge. I know even you Ghanaians know the truth,” he added.
Sredojevic expressed his delight at the performance of his players who looked comfortable against the Black Stars despite being ranked 16 places below their more illustrious opponents on the African continent.
“We played very well and I’m proud of my players, I give the players all the praise. It’s the first match and we are not getting carried away,” Sredojevic noted.
“It’s a boost of morale for us to work very hard. It’s a very tough group, there is Guinea and Togo and we are desperate to take our chance,” he affirmed.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana