Awal Suleman, the pitch invader during Ghana’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa has been fined GH¢2,400 by a Circuit Court in Cape Coast.
The 25-year-old has been asked to pay the fine or in default serve a three-month jail sentence.
In court on Thursday, presiding Judge, Dorinda Arthur Smith, charged Awal Suleman with resisting arrest and disturbing public peace. Awal pleaded guilty and was sentenced on his own plea.
The Circuit Court said it took his guilty plea and apologies from some Black Star players into consideration before delivering its verdict.
He was also made to sign a bond to be of good behaviour.
The former Nursing student interrupted Black Stars match against Bafana Bafana on Thursday when he invaded the Cape Coast stadium pitch.
In the dying embers of the match with Black Stars leading 2-0, Awal sprinted onto the pitch and evaded a number of the security officers who were chasing him.
His reason was to take a selfie with midfielder Thomas Partey. Awal claims he had missed opportunities to meet Partey when the Black Stars toured Cape Coast ahead of the match.
He was arrested and detained at the University of Cape Coast police station for close to 48 hours. Awal was released on bail following pleadings from many Ghanaians including football stars Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan.
Awal received a heroes parade on the streets of Cape Coast upon his release on Saturday afternoon.
On Tuesday, he met with Thomas Partey who gifted him a signed Black Stars jersey.
