Accra Hearts of Oak defender, Vincent Atinga converted a spot kick in the 98th minute to record the opening goal of the FOX WAFU Cup of Nations 2017 and also the only goal that saw host nation, Ghana progress to the group stage in the WAFU opener against Gambia.
The win, according to Gambian Coach, Omar Sise was induced by the center referee and not a true reflection of the game.
Sise said the Black Stars ‘B’ did not deserve to win the game because his side was the better of the opening exchanges when he met the press.
“I am sorry for African football if we will continue to run our football like this. The referee gave away the game and everyone saw the penalty awarded was a bad one and even the time was out,” a furious Sise lamented.
The Gambian Football Association has since threatened to boycott subsequent WAFU tournaments if stringent measures are not taken against the Burkinabe referee.
“Considering the fact that this is the second consecutive time we were robbed in broad daylight in the WAFU competition, the GFF, therefore, shall formally protest to WAFU and CAF for necessary action to be taken. We may also consider our participation in the future WAFU competitions unless justice is seen to be done,” a statement on the Gambia Federation website read.
The Black stars await the end of the preliminary round to know the remaining three countries that will make up Group A.