Asamoah Gyan: 3 Times Legendary Striker Broke the Hearts of Fans Including Uruguay Penalty Miss
According to the Ghanaian adage, “The one who fetches the water is the one who is likely to break the pot”
That is the situation with every goal-getter, including legendary striker Asamoah Gyan.
Gyan, who holds the record as the most prolific forward in Ghana’s history, has called time on his career
After a remarkable career filled with breaking and setting numerous records, Asamoah Gyan has made the decision to retire from football, bidding farewell to the sport that has defined his illustrious journey.
Spanning nearly two decades, Gyan’s illustrious career blossomed with countless unforgettable moments, leading many football enthusiasts to consider him as the greatest player of his generation and even transcending the boundaries of time.
Yet, alongside the resounding cheers he brought to Ghanaians, the 37-year-old was also involved in some heart-wrenching episodes that left a lasting impact on the football landscape in his home nation.
Sports Brief recounts three regrettable moments from Gyan’s otherwise remarkable career, forever leaving a mark on his gleaming legacy:
1. Ghana vs Uruguay – 2010 FIFA World Cup
It was meant to be the defining moment in Asamoah Gyan’s career, a watershed moment that would forever be etched in his legacy. Unfortunately, fate had different plans, and he will forever bear the consequences of that moment.
Throughout the tournament, Gyan had been the driving force behind the Black Stars’ success, and when presented with a penalty opportunity to create history after Luis Suarez handled a goal-bound effort from Dominic Adiyiah, the stage was set for Gyan to become a national, African and global hero.
However, in a sudden twist of fate, Gyan’s hero status swiftly transformed into that of a tragic figure, as his moment of glory turned into an everlasting nightmare when his penalty strike crashed against the crossbar, leaving him to grapple with the agony of what could have been. To date, many fans have not forgiven Gyan for committing such a football atrocity.
2. Ghana vs Zambia – 2012 AFCON
Fresh off his heartbreaking penalty miss at the World Cup, Asamoah Gyan was presented with a golden opportunity to redeem himself for the costly mistake when Ghana faced Zambia in the 2012 AFCON semifinals, with a place in the final at stake.
With the match deadlocked at 0-0, Gyan stepped up to take the crucial penalty, facing off against experienced goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene. However, fate dealt another blow as Mweene emerged victorious, saving Gyan’s spot-kick.
Once again, Gyan’s miss proved costly as Emmanuel Mayuka went on to score the lone goal of the game, propelling Chipolopolo to the final against Ivory Coast and eventually lifting the trophy.
The frustration of two consecutive heartbreaks led a significant portion of Ghanaian football fans to direct their anger towards Gyan’s family, resulting in the forward making the decision to abstain from participating in penalty shootouts for the national team, GH Gossip reports.
3. Ivory Coast vs Ghana – 2015 AFCON
Asamoah Gyan’s struggles with penalties continued to haunt him, leading to a series of unfortunate events. The former Sunderland, Udinese, and Stade Rennes striker faced severe backlash from the demanding Ghanaian football fans after missing crucial spot-kicks.
In response to the mounting pressure, Gyan made a solemn promise not to take any more penalties while representing Ghana, per News Ghana. True to his word, during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, where the Black Stars had a golden opportunity to end their long-awaited continental success, Gyan turned his back on his beloved nation.
Approaching the end of the game with a penalty shootout looming, Gyan signalled to the Ghanaian bench, led by former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, that he wanted to be substituted. This decision would prove pricey, as Ghana eventually lost to their neighbours, Ivory Coast, despite initially holding a two-kick advantage.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events, underscoring the lingering impact of Gyan’s penalty woes on the national team’s quest for glory. Maybe the now-retired striker will look back and regret his action.
Story By: Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe SportsBrief.com
