Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has vowed never to visit Africa on his own following his infamous handball incident against Ghana during the FIFA 201O World Cup tournament.
The former Barcelona striker, in 2010, denied Africa a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time as he stopped a goal-bound effort with his hand.
Striker Dominic Adiyiah’s header in extra-time of the quarter-final clash between Ghana and Uruguay was heading straight to the net for a victory for the Black Stars when Suarez perfectly produced a goalkeeper-like save on the line to stop the ball from hitting the net.
Replays showed the ball crossed the line but Ghana were awarded a penalty which Asamoah Gyan missed. It was the last action of extra-time as Black Stars went on to lose in the penalty shootout as Uruguay progressed.
It’s been over ten years but the action is still new in the minds of Africans and Suarez admits he is unpopular on the continent.
“I will never visit Africa on my own. Not anytime soon. After my hand save against Ghana. They were through to the semi-finals if I didn’t use my hands to save my country. Even if I become a coach, I will coach somewhere else, not there.” He said as quoted by Tales of Africa.
The Atletico Madrid attacker was in Africa three years ago with Barcelona for a friendly match against Mamelodi Sundowns. The Uruguayan scored as Barcelona secured a 3-1 win at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
