Ghana striker Osman Bukari says he was not disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo when he copied the Portuguese star’s goal celebration after scoring against them in their FIFA Cup Group H game world Thursday.
Substitute Bukari netted a goal for make it 3-2 in the 89th minute before running to a corner flag and recreating Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siu’ pose.
The former Manchester United striker had given Portugal the lead with a scoring goal at Doha’s 974 Stadium, but was substituted when Bukari headed in from six yards.
“I noticed that my celebration generated comments claiming I was disrespectful to Ronaldo,” the 23-year-old said. posted on Twitter.
“It’s not right. I was overwhelmed with emotion the moment I scored for my country on my World Cup debut leading up to my celebration.
“My upbringing does not allow me to be disrespectful to elders let alone any of my idols.”
The 2016 European champions managed to close out victory, leaving Ghana bottom of the group after the first round of fixtures after Uruguay and South Korea drew 0-0 earlier on Thursday.
Ronaldo has become the first man to score at five different FIFA World Cups when he put Portugal ahead with a 65th-minute penalty after going down following a challenge from Mohammed Salisu.
Black Stars manager Otto Addo was unimpressed with referee Ismail Elfath’s officiating.
“I think it was a really bad decision, we were playing the ball. I don’t know why VAR (Video Assistant Referee) didn’t come, there was no explanation for that,” Addo said.
“It was a bad decision. It was actually a foul against us.”
Addo said he tried to talk to the referee about some decisions after the game.
“I wanted to do it calmly but I was told he was in a meeting. He was not in our favour. We had a few yellow cards which were deserved but there were also jersey outfits and stoppages of counter-attacks also yellow cards but which are not given to them.”
Asked about Ronaldo’s scoring goal, Addo said: “If someone scores a goal, congratulations. But it was a gift, really a gift.”
Brighton wing-back Tariq Lamptey also came on as a second-half substitute and said his World Cup final debut was a “bittersweet” moment.
“It’s difficult. Another day we get a different result,” added the 22-year-old.
“We always believed in ourselves and always believed that we could get a good result.
“We just have to dust ourselves off now, work hard in training and look forward to the next game.”
Ghana face South Korea in their second Group H game on Monday (1300 GMT), with their last match against Uruguay on Friday, December 2.
