Dancehall/Reggae legend Emmanuel Samini better known as Samini has jumped to the defence of the skipper of the Black Stars Andre Ayew following his handball that led to a penalty during Ghana’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Mozambique in the 2023 AFCON on Monday.
The Black Stars failed to secure a win in the group phase of the tournament. In their final match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, they were leading by two goals after Jordan Ayew scored two well-taken penalties on either side of the half.
However, Mozambique managed to score a goal in the 91st minute of injury time. Geny Catamo converted from the spot following substitute Andre Ayew’s handball in the penalty box, which reduced the deficit and earned Mozambique a 2-2 draw.
Three minutes later, Reinildo Mandava broke Ghanaian hearts by grabbing the equaliser when he headed the ball into the net from a corner kick that was awarded thanks to Richard Ofori’s mistake.
Ayew, who’s the captain of the Black Stars, has come under criticism over the handball incident, although it wasn’t intentional.
But Samini has defended the Le Havre forward, telling the player’s critics to cut him some slack in a social media post.
“Wow smh. I’ve been trying to type but nothing makes sense to me Chale. 2:0 and then almost full time you say what? Cut Dede a slack if you got a handball, come on shit happens,” Samini wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Can someone explain to me what this goalkeeper was trying to say after he touched the ball and started denying he did before the ref could even say anything?
“Did anyone also realize Kudus wanted to take his penalty but didn’t get to and that demoralized him totally? Now I have to do 24 hours in Abidjan in a Ghana jersey lol. I die.”
Meanwhile, Ghana are on the brink of exiting the 2023 AFCON after being held to a draw by Mozambique on Monday evening.
The result leaves Ghana with just two points in Group B, while their chances of progressing to the round of 16 are now very slim.
