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Ghana’s Osman Bukari has defended his decision to imitiate Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration during his nation’s 3-2 loss to Portugal on Thursday.
Bukari, 23, performed the Portugal international’s ‘Siu’ celebration after scoring Ghana’s second goal of the night in the 89th minute, to ensure a tense finish to the Group H tie.
Ronaldo had been substituted by that point but had performed the celebration earlier in the game, when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the second half.
But Bukari denied suggestions he had been mocking Ronaldo when initiating the celebration by saying he would not be “disrespectful to elders let alone one of my idols”.
Bukari wrote on Twitter: “I have noticed my celebration today has generated comments claiming I was disrespectful towards Ronaldo. This is incorrect.
”I was overcome by the emotion of the moment of scoring for my country on my World Cup debut leading to my celebration.
“My upbringing doesn’t permit me to be disrespectful to elders let alone one of my idols.
“Thanks for your support and we focus on our next game!”
Spectators at Stadium 974 on Thursday witnessed history as Ronaldo became the first man to score at five different World Cups.
Ghana’s next game is against South Korea on Monday while Portugal take on Uruguay later on the same day.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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