Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has claimed that he failed his nation and the whole African continent by missing a penalty in the 94th minute of their quarterfinal match against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup.
“I had to weep because I felt like I went from hero to nothing,” Gyan said in a FIFA.com documentary on Ghana’s campaign in South Africa.
More than a decade ago, when the Black Stars played the South Americans, the experienced striker went through the worst game of his career.
After a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, Ghana was set to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals before falling to Uruguay on penalties.
When Luis Suarez used his hand to deflect Dominic Adiyiah’s header away from the goal in the nick of time in extra time, Ghana had a penalty, but Asamoah Gyan missed it.
While chatting with FIFA.com. Gyan said he would never get over the fact that he failed to convert a penalty, therefore, shaming his country and the rest of Africa.
The Black Stars, meanwhile, will meet Uruguay again in Qatar 2022 after being placed in Group H with Portugal and South Korea for the tournament.
🇬🇭 "I let the whole continent, my country down"
That #FIFAWorldCup moment against Uruguay still haunts @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 to this day
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 1, 2022