Eleven Wonders striker Zakaria Osman has issued an apology for his missed penalty in the club’s Division One playoff defeat against Bofoakwa Tano.
Zakaria had the chance to secure victory for Wonders and secure their return to the Ghana Premier League in a tense penalty shootout, but he failed to convert.
Zakaria’s miss elicited mixed reactions due to the manner in which he executed the kick. He took an extensive run-up before shooting a weak effort that was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Tuesday evening. Promotion playoff game between Eleven Wonders and Tano Bofoakwa. Bofoakwa miss their penalty in sudden death, Wonders have a chance with one kick away and the Osman Zakaria goes and does this… pic.twitter.com/mr8LD0mvNw
— Yaw (@theyawofosu) May 31, 2023
The game had ended 1-1 with Zakaria scoring the equaliser for Eleven Wonders after they fell behind in the early minutes.
Speaking publicly for the first time in an interview with Akoma FM Osman said, “I would never deliberately miss that penalty. I appeal to the fans of Eleven Wonders and the entire Bono Region to forgive me. I can’t even recall the last time I missed a penalty.”
When questioned about his extensive run-up, nearly reaching the centre circle before rushing to take the kick, Osman described it as his trademark.
He said, “It is my trademark. Normally, whenever I am about to take a penalty, I always position myself far away from the ball.” After missing the penalty, he received consolation from his teammates, particularly Daniel Agyen (former Medeama player), although some were displeased with his execution.
Reports surfaced claiming that the player’s girlfriend had her shop vandalised by aggrieved fans. However, Zakaria refuted these reports, stating that he doesn’t even have a girlfriend in Techiman.
