'I still don't like Suarez' â?? President Mahama opens up on 2010 World Cup heartbreak

2026-03-21 - 00:12

President John Dramani Mahama has admitted that he still harbours resentment toward Luis Suárez over the striker's infamous handball that denied Ghana a historic semi-final spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at the Black Stars World Cup fundraising campaign at the Kempinski Hotel on Friday night, Mahama reflected on the painful memory that still lingers for many Ghanaians. "I still remember 2010 vividly, the energy that was in the air. The nation stands still, united in hope. As we came within a whisper of gaining world glory. I still don't like Suárez since that incident, and I have never wished him well for what he did," he said, drawing laughter and nods from the audience. The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. In the dying moments of extra time during the quarter-final in Johannesburg, Suárez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line to deny Ghana a certain winning goal. He was sent off, but Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, and Ghana went on to lose the match in a shootout. Mahama's comments reflect a sentiment shared by millions of Ghanaians for whom the 2010 defeat remains a painful near-miss on football's biggest stage. The president's remarks came during an evening dedicated to rallying support for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where Ghana will face England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L. Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.