Six years after missing a crucial spot kick, courtesy Luis Suarez in the South Africa World Cup, Asamoah Gyan says the missed opportunity still haunts him.
It was a rare opportunity that would have written Ghana’s name in gold as the first African side to play in the World Cup semis if Gyan had converted the penalty.
The blown away chance sent shivers down the spine of the team’s many faithful.
It took many a long time to overcome the infamous trauma; resulting in the penalty taker Gyan and his family receiving death threats.
Consequently, that informed his decision to quit taking penalty for the national team.
The Black Stars captain said ahead of their international friendly against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa yesterday that the unfortunate incident haunts him occasionally.
But the Shanghai SIPG loanee has indicated that it has made him stronger and a better person.
Gyan told South Africa media that “Yeah, it’s been hunting me once a while but it has made me a strong man. We feel at home anytime we come to South Africa. We do appreciate them a lot for their support.”
And responding to what has kept him in the team for over a decade, he said “Being consistent for thirteen years is not easy, my secret is being strong mentally.”
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum