Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss in Saturday’s international friendly game with the USA has earned him the criticism and ridicule of many football lovers. Gyan wasted a penalty kick against the U. S on Saturday in an international friendly, that saw USA beat Ghana in a 2-1 win.
Ghana who were trailing 1-0, were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Frank Acheampong was brought down in the box. Gyan who stepped forward in the 18-yard box for the penalty kick saw his kick saved by the goalkeeper. The USA had doubled their lead in the second half before Asamoah Gyan scored a world class free kick to redeem his image. The game ended 2-1 in favour of the host, USA.
Following the disappointing miss, Gyan immediately became a topic of discussion among anxious Ghanaians who were looking forward to a win in the clash.
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A more provoking part of the incident was that Gyan’s nomination of himself to play the penalty was a rescindment of his decision to never take penalty kicks for Ghana. Asamoah Gyan announced not to take penalty kicks for the Black Stars back in November 2012 as a pledge to his late mother. This vow came after the skipper missed a crucial penalty in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final defeat to eventual winners Zambia.
We’re not forgetting the indelible 2010 incident when Gyan’s last-minute penalty miss against Uruguay denied Ghana a historic 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final title.
It was when Ghana lost in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Quater Finals in South Africa courtesy of Gyan’s miss. It was a rare opportunity that would have seen Ghana go down in history as the first African side to play in the World Cup semis. However, Gyan failed to convert the penalty, bringing literally all Ghanaians to tears on that fateful day.
Gyan who was devastated after the miss has said repeatedly during interviews that he is still struggling to come to terms with the dreadful miss. The dreadful 2010 miss, as well as the 2012 miss, all attributed to the Gyan’s ‘resolve’ not to take penalties for the country -a decision he has recently rescinded.
Following the sad incidents, one would think that Gyan would keep to his word by staying off penalty kicks. But the skipper has withdrawn his decision and many Ghanaians are not pleased with this. Gyan has received so much bashing on social media from unhappy Ghanaians. While some encouraged the skipper others did nothing but ridicule him uncharitably.
Gyan has received so much bashing on social media from unhappy Ghanaians. While some encouraged the skipper others did nothing but ridicule him uncharitably.
See some tweets below
One of Gyan’s critics is none other than outspoken Comedienne and TV personality, Afia Schwarzenegger, who has served it hot for the skipper.
In an Instagram post on Monday (July 3), Afia lambasted Asamoah Gyan for breaking his promise and asked him to stay away from penalty kicks for the Black Stars.
Meanwhile, Black Stars Coach Kwesi Appiah has called on Ghanaians to support the skipper, who like every other player, is bound to make mistakes. “Every player in the world can miss a penalty,” he said, adding that he Gyan has the right to go back on his resolve.
The manager of Ghana’s national team revealed after the match, that the skipper needed the backing of Ghanaians since he would be called on to take more penalties for the nation in future.
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