Today in history: 11 years ago, Asamoah Gyan missed crucial penalty against Uruguay, know all the details [+Photos]

Today (July 2) is exactly 11 years since Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, missed a crucial penalty kick at the World Cup, denying Ghana the chance of becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals which broke hearts across the continent.

Ghana was eventually bundled out of the competition through penalty kicks after the scoreline remained 1-1 in regulation time, shortly after Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header was cruelly stopped by Luis Suarez who was then with Athletico Madrid with his hands.

The loss and all the drama that shrouded that particular match has become iconic and indelible in the hearts of not just Ghanaians, but almost all Africans and beyond.

Ghanaians have not forgiven their leading marksman as a result of the heartache he caused them and that marked the beginning of the frosty relationship Ghanaian fans developed for Asamoah Gyan.

He literally slumped from a hero to a villain and that is how the situation has remained till this day. Gyan himself admitted that loss is still haunting him.

“Today, any time alone, it still haunts me,” the former Sunderland forward had told TV3 back in 2020. “Sometimes I feel like the world should go back again so I can redeem myself, but I know this is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

“I accept that because there is nothing I can do about it. I went there to save my country, but I ended up being the villain, which I accept because I know how people feel.

“It was a disaster. It was crazy. I was also calm because I couldn’t sleep the whole night because I was crying the whole night until morning so I was somehow calm because I couldn’t cry anymore. All I was telling myself was to get another chance because I knew I could redeem myself even if not football, something else. But even if I don’t, my kids will do it one day.”

In that same regard, Asamoah Gyan has not been happy that Ghanaians continue to read him to filth over the penalty miss.

Back in February 2021, Gyan descended on giant media house, Joy FM for setting up soccer fans against him after they tweeted a survey about how Ghanaians feel about his infamous penalty miss against Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup quarter-final stage.

“Fellow Ghanaians does Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss still hurt you?” the tweet said.

A livid Asamoah Gyan who came across the post fired shots at the station and blacklisted them thereafter. He also added that they should learn to show respect.

“I have lost respect for you guys. From today, @Joy997FM is out on my list. You should be ashamed of yourself. Learn how to respect. Smh,” he tweeted.

source: ghbase.com