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Sports News of Saturday, 16 November 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Heroes welcome for released pitch invader

Awal being driven through some streets in Cape Coast Awal being driven through some streets in Cape Coast

Within a space of 72 hours, Sulemana Awal has gone from being a jobless nurse to a national star who has earned himself the tag of a hooligan or a pacesetter depending on where you stand.

The 25-year-old took a bold and unconventional step of becoming the first Ghanaian to invade a pitch during Ghana’s game against South Africa in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

The hilarious episode which saw him floor one of the security officials who chased after him landed him in detention for two days.

His decision to storm the pitch and the subsequent decision by the Cape Coast police to detain him has shot him to fame with several Ghanaians ‘celebrating’ him for taking an initiative no Ghanaian has ever dared and also criticising the police for blowing the issue out of proportion.

Few minutes after his release, pictures of him being given a heroic welcome by some people believed to be friends and family took over social media.

Awal is seen in a viral video being paraded through the principal streets of Cape Coast like a medieval warlord returning from conquering his bitterest rivals.

He is seen in the video acknowledging the chants and appellations from the people which signifies his lack of regret or guilt.