Story By: Ahashie Judeliver Eli
In the opening clash of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season, featuring Kpando Heart of Lions and Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC, all eyes turned to a controversial disallowed goal that left fans and players in sheer disbelief at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
It seemed like Lions had surged ahead as the ball found the net, but the assistant referee, Gilbert Adom Mensah, promptly raised his flag, signaling an offside.
This incident once again cast a spotlight on Ghanaian match officials, inviting scrutiny from football enthusiasts, including the passionate Kotoko fanbase.
However, retired referee Thomas Nunoo, a respected figure in the world of officiating, provided a precise analysis in an interview on Happy Fm, dissecting the intricacies of the offside rule.
“An Offside position refers to a player who is closer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball itself,” Nunoo clarified, laying the groundwork for his examination of the pivotal moment in the game.
He went on, “When we scrutinize the incident involving Heart of Lions and Asante Kotoko, the crucial question is whether the player was in an offside position before the ball was played and after it rebounded off the goalkeeper. If he wasn’t in an offside position at both those moments, then he’s not offside.”
Nunoo’s explanation revolved around the precise timing of the offside decision, stressing the need to assess the player’s position both before and after the ball interacted with the goalkeeper.
Ultimately, the match between Hearts of Lions and Asante Kotoko concluded in a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, leaving fans with mixed emotions.
You can watch the disallowed goal by Heart of Lions below:
You will not see a much clearer goal this week. Perfect place, clear view but still makes the wrong decision. @HeartOfLionsFc denied a clear goal. pic.twitter.com/VCM6dutRJj
— Ohene-Bampoe Brenya (@obbampoegh) September 17, 2023