President John Dramani Mahama has admitted he still harbours resentment toward Luis Suárez over the striker’s infamous handball during Ghana’s clash with Uruguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

John Mahama made this remark while addressing guests at the Ghana World Cup fundraising campaign on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

“I still remember 2010 vividly, the energy that was in the air. The nation stands still, united in hope. As we came within a whisper of gaining world glory. I still don’t like Suarez since that incident, and I have never wished him well for what he did,” he said, drawing laughter and nods from the audience.

The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history. Luis Suarez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line in the dying moments of extra time, denying Ghana a historic semi-final spot.

Luis Suarez of Uruguay handles the ball on the line during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals match between Uruguay and Ghana at Soccer City on July 2, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Although he was sent off, Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty, and Ghana went on to lose the match in a penalty shootout.

Asamoah Gyan of Ghana shoots his penalty onto the crossbar after Luis Suarez of Uruguay handles the ball off the line and is sent off during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Uruguay and Ghana at the Soccer City stadium on July 2, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Jamie Squire – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Mahama’s comment reflects a sentiment widely shared among Ghanaians, for whom the 2010 defeat still lingers as a painful near-miss on football’s biggest stage.