Ghana U-17 coach unhappy with officiating

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Oct 23, 2017. 13:30

Ghana coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has expressed his disappointment with the officiating in their U-17 World Cup defeat at the hands of Mali this past weekend.

The Black Starlets were beaten 2-1 by their Malian counterparts at the Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati

Mali held a 2-0 lead after goals from Hadji Drame and Djemoussa Traore, but in between Ghana had a strike of their own controversially ruled out.

Ibrahim Sulley thought he had leveled the score for the Black Starlets after his low shot beat goalkeeper Youssouf Koita at his near post.

However, the goal was ruled out after Algerian referee Medhi Charef adjudged a foul on Fode Konate by Kudus Mohammed in the build up.

Ghana did get on the score sheet via a penalty from Kudus Mohammed in the 70th minute, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

After the match, Ghana coach Fabin expressed his frustration at what he believes was a game-changing mistake from the officials.

"Everything went right, we scored a perfect goal and it was disallowed. I don't know what to say again," he told reporters.

The victory saw Mali advance to the semifinals, where they will face Spain in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.