Ghana U-20 striker Benjamin Fadi 'okayed' after clash with Uganda goalie

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana U-20 team Doctor Prince Pamboe has assured no serious injury was sustained by striker Benjamin Fadi.

The Heart of Lions attacker had to be rushed to a hospital after coming out worse off in an aerial clash with the Uganda goalkeeper in the Black Satellites’ 3-0 win in the African Youth Championship qualifier on Saturday.

Fadi was initially feared to have fractured his jaw after that challenge but Dr. Pamboe has allayed this fear after further examining the injury.

“Fadi (Benjamin) was in an aerial challenge with the Ugandan goalkeeper and appeared to have been elbowed in the face,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“Our initial suspicion was that he had fractured his jaw as the layman will say so there was the need to run further tests on him.

“We then took him to a hospital in Tamale where we conducted an X-ray and an emergency scan.

“It was after these further examinations that I realized there was no mandibular fracture and that something called the ‘ramus’ was intact and that there was also no brain damage.

“Indeed this was confirmed by my colleagues in Accra after I had sent the images of the results of the scans to them.

“So I would say with 90% surety that Fadi is fine but I will meet with him in my office on Monday to review the situation.”

Members of the Ghana U-20 management team including chairman George Afriyie, Alhaji Souleymane Braimah (Alhaji Hearts) and Jefferey Asare visited the player at the hospital to show solidarity despite the need to join the rest of the team in celebration of the win.

Ghana will now battle Morocco in the ultimate qualifier for a spot in next year’s final to be hosted by Algeria.