‘We weren’t angry at Gyan’ – Ayew revisits Ghana’s 2010 World Cup heartbreak

Former Ghana captain André Ayew has defended Asamoah Gyan over his penalty miss against Uruguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, insisting the striker should not be blamed for Ghana’s heartbreaking quarter-final exit.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Ayew reflected on the controversial moment when Luis Suárez deliberately handled Dominic Adiyiah’s goal-bound header in the closing stages of extra time, denying Ghana a potential winner.

Suárez was sent off, but Ghana were awarded a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game. Gyan, who had already scored from the spot earlier in the tournament, struck the crossbar, sending the match into a penalty shootout.

Ghana subsequently lost 4-2 on penalties, missing the chance to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Ayew, who was part of the Black Stars squad in South Africa, said Gyan should not be blamed for the outcome, given his contribution to the team’s historic run.

“We weren’t angry at Baby Jet [Asamoah Gyan]. Without him, we wouldn’t have got that far. Suárez’s handball killed the hopes of not just Ghana, but the whole continent. We believed we could surprise the world,” Ayew said.

The incident remains one of the most painful moments in Ghanaian football history, with the Black Stars coming within minutes of reaching the semi-finals before the late drama and subsequent shootout defeat.

Gyan has faced years of criticism over the missed penalty, although the spot kick came after Suárez’s deliberate handball had denied Ghana what appeared to be a certain goal.

Ayew’s comments underlines the importance of recognising Gyan’s contribution to Ghana’s 2010 campaign rather than judging his tournament solely by that one moment

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The Black Stars had reached the quarter-finals after an impressive run in South Africa, raising hopes of a historic breakthrough for African football.