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Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has expressed disappointment over the lack of support from his teammates following his infamous penalty miss during Ghana’s quarter-final clash against Uruguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Gyan’s missed penalty in the dying moments of extra time cost Ghana a chance to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals. Although he later converted his kick in the subsequent penalty shootout, Ghana ultimately lost to Uruguay, sparking widespread criticism and backlash.
Speaking in an Instagram Live session, Gyan revealed that the aftermath of the incident was one of the most challenging periods of his career, made worse by the perceived betrayal of his teammates, who, he claims, distanced themselves from him during the storm of public criticism.
“I was the designated penalty taker, and I took responsibility for that moment. It was never intentional,” Gyan clarified, addressing lingering doubts about his commitment during that crucial game.
The former striker also lamented the lack of public defense from his teammates, who, he said, understood the circumstances yet failed to stand by him in the face of intense scrutiny.
Despite the emotional toll of the incident, Gyan enjoyed a stellar career, retiring in 2023 as Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals. He also holds the record as the highest-scoring African in World Cup history, with six goals.
At 39 years old, Gyan’s legacy as one of Africa’s football legends remains intact, but his reflections on the 2010 World Cup offer a poignant glimpse into the personal challenges that accompany the highs and lows of professional football.
