Audio By Carbonatix
Ghana striker Osman Bukari says he did not disrespect Cristiano Ronaldo when he copied the Portugal star's goal celebration after scoring against them in their World Cup Group H match on Thursday.
Substitute Bukari pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 in the 89th minute before running towards a corner flag and recreating Ronaldo's famous 'Siu' pose.
The former Manchester United forward had given Portugal the lead with a milestone goal at Stadium 974 in Doha but had been substituted by the time Bukari headed in from six yards.
"I have noticed my celebration has generated comments claiming I was disrespectful towards Ronaldo," the 23-year-old posted on Twitter.
"This is incorrect. I was overcome by the emotion of the moment of scoring for my country on my World Cup debut leading to my celebration.
"My upbringing doesn't permit me to be disrespectful to elders let alone one of my idols."
The 2016 European champions managed to close out the win, leaving Ghana bottom of the group following the opening round of games after Uruguay and South Korea drew 0-0 earlier on Thursday.
Ronaldo became the first man to score at five different Fifa World Cups when he put Portugal ahead with a 65th-minute penalty after he went down following a challenge from Mohammed Salisu.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo was unimpressed with the officiating by referee Ismail Elfath.
"I think it was a really wrong decision, we were playing the ball. I don't know why VAR (Video Assistant Referee) did not come up, there was no explanation for it," said Addo.
"It was a wrong decision. It was actually a foul against us."
Addo said he had tried to talk to the referee about some of the decisions after the match.
"I wanted to do it in a calm way but I was told he was in a meeting. He was not in our favour. We got a few yellow cards which were deserved but there was also holding of jerseys and stopping counter-attacks that were also yellow cards but not given to them."
Asked about Ronaldo's milestone goal, Addo said: "If somebody scores a goal, congratulations. But this was a gift, really a gift."
Brighton wing-back Tariq Lamptey also came on as a second-half substitute and said his World Cup finals debut was a "bittersweet" moment.
"It's difficult. On another day we get a different result," the 22-year-old added.
"We always believed in ourselves and always believed that we could get a good result.
"We have to just dust ourselves down now, work hard in training and look forward to the next game."
Ghana play South Korea in their second Group H match on Monday (13:00 GMT), with their final game against Uruguay on Friday, 2 December.
Latest Stories
-
Trade Minister applauds GUTA as a pillar of economic growth; Prez Mahama honoured
4 minutes -
President’s brother’s takeover of Damang Mines is ‘untidy’ – Alhassan Tampuli
10 minutes -
It’s not true that gov’t decided not to renew the lease for Gold Fields – Bobby Banson
14 minutes -
Ghana to boost tomato production with 60-hectare irrigated farms and processing initiatives
32 minutes -
E&P’s takeover process of Damang Mines was very clean – Inusah Fuseini
35 minutes -
Damang takeover: There is not going to be any job loss; it is a lease change – Bobby Banson
1 hour -
Gold Fields didn’t stop mining at Damang mines; such claims are untrue – Bobby Banson
1 hour -
Engineers and Planners currently operate only in Ghana – Bright Simons
1 hour -
Lands Minister has no legal basis to restrict lease to Ghanaian firms – Bright Simons
1 hour -
Gov’t’s refusal to renew Gold Fields’ lease was simply untenable – Bright Simons
2 hours -
SOS Children’s Villages Ghana deepens partnership with Gender Ministry
2 hours -
Gender Ministry celebrates Christina Koch, reaffirms commitment to empowering girls
2 hours -
Live stream: Newsfile digs into E&P’s takeover of Damang Mines, OSP powers and Anti-LGBTQ Bill
2 hours -
Moody’s maintains Ghana’s rating at Caa1, revises outlook to positive
3 hours -
Zambia elevates tourism education to national priority as President Hichilema backs continental summit
4 hours