Black Maidens coach apologises for scathing attack on goalkeeper

Black Maidens coach Evans Adotey has apologized for his verbal attack on goalkeeper Grace Banwa Buoadu who committed a blunder in Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Mexico at the 2018 under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.

An unfortunate error by the young goalkeeper cancelled out a 2-1 lead by Ghana to send the game into penalties. Ghana was however eliminated from the tournament after losing 4-2 on penalties.

An emotional Adotey in his post-match presser went hard on the goalkeeper blaming her for Ghana’s inability to achieve its semi-final target. But in an interview with GhanaWeb on arrival, Evans Adotey said that he regretted his actions and has apologized to the goalkeeper and her teammates for his outburst.

He explained that was he overwhelmed with emotions after seeing his free-scoring side exit the tournament but has eaten back those words after careful reflection.

Evans Adotey also explained his ‘Van Gaal’ inspired substitution that saw him take out his first choice goalie for the second one ahead of the penalty shootout.

“Grace Bawa as you know is my number one choice. Throughout the qualifiers and the tournament, she kept the post. When we got to the quarter-finals, I knew her as my number 1 choice until she made that mistake. She wasn’t herself so together with my coaching staff we agreed that we bring on Cynthia who is also good at penalties”.

“I was at a loss at that time. Even a presenter by name Agyemang called me and said, coach, you have done well but at your post-match meeting, you were too harsh on the lady. Until I saw the playback and came back to my sense and then apologized to the girl. I told Agyemang to carry the message across board that I was not myself. Honestly speaking I was not myself”, he said