Following Golden Kick FC's 2-1 loss to Asante Kotoko in Sunday's FA Cup final, head coach Fiifi Parker Hanson has accused referee Selorm Yao Bless of bias.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, the Porcupine Warriors defeated the lower-tier team to win their tenth FA Cup, guaranteeing them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup the following season.
Kwame Opoku's brace, which included a contentious stoppage-time penalty, was the deciding factor in a hotly contested final.
Coach Fiifi Parker praised his players profusely after the game, but he also blamed the team's loss on referee Selorm Yao Bless.
"We wanted to win the game and change Ghanaian football history." The lads performed remarkably well, and we followed our strategy. Each of us was committed to winning the game.
"We demonstrated our class. Nobody knew our players when we arrived; we were the underdogs playing the titans, and the referee ultimately awarded them the victory. Since they failed to score on us, we are safe. Kotoko won the match thanks to the referee. After the game, he told Max TV, "This is a silver platter."
Kwame Opoku of Kotoko gave the team the lead, and midfielder Bless Ege equalized with a spectacular long-range free kick as the two teams ended the half tied.
The 90th minute was the game's turning point. Referee Latif Adaari pointed to the spot when Kwame Opoku and Golden Kick goalie Kelvin Saaba collided in the box, causing the Golden Kick bench and supporters to erupt in protest.
There was a lot of discussion after the game about the penalty call because replays indicated there was little contact.
Opoku calmly converted from the spot to complete his brace and win the match, unfazed by the dispute.
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GFA discusses the MTN FA Cup final's abrupt referee change.
Following a last-minute officiating change during Sunday's MTN FA Cup final between Asante Kotoko and Golden Kick, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has addressed popular concerns.
The original plan was for Latif Abdul Adaari to serve as the fourth official and referee Selorm Yao Bless to oversee the game with assistance from Paul Kodzo Atimaka and Theophilus Akugre. Thomas Nunoo was named Match Commissioner.
However, Bless reportedly suffered an injury during the warm-up only minutes before kickoff. Latif Abdul Adaari, the fourth official, was required to take his place as the center referee by protocol.
"The decision was in keeping with customary practice, where the fourth referee assumes the duty of center referee in the event of injury or illness to the designated match official," was the GFA's explanation in a statement.
The Association also responded to rumors that the move was coming, especially after Kotoko won at the University of Ghana Stadium thanks to a contentious penalty.
According to the GFA, "the replacement was required by the circumstances and not because of any conspiracy theories floating in the public arena."
Fans and commentators questioned the timing and transparency of the officiating reshuffle, which prompted the clarification.
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