Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has vowed never to travel to Africa by himself when he recalls his notorious handball match against Ghana.
Suarez in 2010 prevented Africa the chance to play in the semi-finals in the World Cup for the first time when he stopped an attempt to score by using his hands.
Adiyiah’s header in extra-time of the quarter-final match between Ghana as well as Uruguay was headed straight to the net to secure victory for the Black Stars, however, Suarez produced a goalkeeper-like save from the line.
The replays showed that the ball was over the line, however Ghana were awarded a penalty, which Asamoah Gyan failed to score. This was the last act of the extra-time, as the Black Stars went on to be defeated during the penalty shootout in the course of Uruguay continued to progress.
It’s been more than 10 years, but the story remains present in the minds of Africans, and Suarez admits to being unpopular in Africa.
“I will never visit Africa on my own. Not anytime soon. After my hand save against Ghana. They were through to the semi-finals if I didn’t use my hands to save my country. Even if I become a coach, I will coach somewhere else, not there.” He said, as quoted by Tales of Africa.
Suarez has been in Africa 3 years ago, when he was with Barcelona for a friendly game with Mamelodi Sundowns. The Uruguayan scored when Barcelona won 3-1 on the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Source: Kingaziz.com