Posted On Friday, 26th July 2013
Luis Suarez denied Ghana a historic semi final spot at the 2010 World Cup
Andre Ayew admits he would have scooped the ball out of the net like Luis Suarez did to deny Ghana a place in the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup to help his nation.
The Uruguay striker was widely vilified for deflecting away a Dominic Adiyiah goal-bound header with his hand in virtually the last kick of the quarter final match of the World Cup hosted in South Africa.
That ‘illegal’ act saw the impressive Ghana team crash out of the World Cup on a sour note as the Black Stars were subsequently beaten in a penalty shootout following Asamoah Gyan’s heartbreaking penalty miss at the end of extra time.
Suarez had duly been sent off and Ghana handed a unique opportunity to be the first African side to make the last four of a senior World Cup finals.
Gyan, the star man of the side throughout the tournament however crashed his kick againt the cross bar – a situation that effectively got Ghana eliminated as the dispirited players went on to take ineferior kicks in the ensuing penalty shootouts.
Suarez was made public enemy no.1 for the ‘illegal’ role he played in altering Ghana’s fate on that chilly night in Johannesburg.
One of the revelations of the Ghana team; Andre Ayew who missed the quarter final defeat through suspension however reveals he would have done same to help his nation progress.
“He [Suarez] left his team with ten men and gave away a penalty in the last minute, but it worked out for them,” Ayew said.
“When the Uruguayans got home they were given a heroes’ welcome. There was a kind of injustice done against us but they took a risk and it paid off.
“Obviously Ghanaian supporters and perhaps even the whole of Africa were angry at Suarez, but it was an action that us players can understand.
“If it had been me in that situation, perhaps I’d have done something similar.”
There remains profound bitterness amongst many Ghanaians whenever that act is played back in their minds over three years on.
Many Black Stars fans who felt cheated after the match at the Soccer City Stadium are yet to fully recovered from that shock.
This disappointment has however served as a constant motivation for the Black Stars in their continued bid to qualify for a third successive World Cup appearance in Brazil next year.