Black Stars goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda has explained the rationale behind his celebrations after saving Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The goalkeeper pulled off a point-blank save to deny Ronaldo the opening goal in their final Group G encounter in 2014 and was clearly delighted with his save, punching the air in celebration before turning to accept the adulation of supporters.
Though Fatau still conceded to Ronaldo in the 80th minute after Asamoah Gyan had cancelled John Boye’s own goal in the first thirty-minutes of the game, he was still applauded for his saves in the game against Portugal though others too blamed him for the second goal Ghana conceded.
In an interview with GhanaWeb Sports Editor, Daniel Oduro on Sports Check, he explained the rationale behind his celebration in the game against Portugal following the saves against the five-time Balon d'Or winner.
‘’Before the World Cup, we knew our group so the technical team did an analysis on the opponent players and what every Ghanaian player must do on the field of play against these opponents”
‘’We the goalkeepers knew that Ronaldo was good in set-pieces, long-range balls and aerial duels so we made adequate preparations for Ronaldo ahead of the game. When the situation came and I saved the header, I knew I had done well to replicate what I learnt at the training ground hence my decision to celebrate that save,” ’he added.
