Accra Hearts of Oak defender Samuel Inkoom has spoken on his infamous stoppage time penalty miss in the MTN FA Cup round of 32 stages against this year’s finalist Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Dreams took an early lead in the match through striker Agyenim Boateng. The Dawu-based club kept on piling pressure on the Phobians who returned after recess, determined to get an equalizer.
A needless tackle on Kwadwo Obeng Jnr resulted in a penalty for the Phobians who failed to take advantage. Benjamin Yorke approached the FIFA U-20 World Cup winner, Samuel Inkoom, who thought it was an instruction from the coach at that time (Slavko Matic) to pass the responsibility to the youngster.
Speaking on StarTimes Adepa channel 247 and MAX TV, the former FC Basel man said, “I was calm because Yasaan wanted to play at first but Yorke told me he wanted to play. So I thought it was an instruction from the bench. So I gave the ball to Yorke. To be honest I didn’t want to play.”
When asked if he was nervous at the time by host Mutala Yakubu, the Phobian replied, “I was not shy but when the penalty came I saw Yorke running towards the penalty box so I thought the coach had asked him to play.”
Unfortunately for Dreams FC, the referee ruled the goalie, Augustine Koomson had stepped off his line before saving Benjamin Yorke’s penalty. Samuel Inkoom stepped up to retake the penalty but also had his saved by the Dreams FC goalkeeper.