Sports News of Sunday, 2 July 2017
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2017-07-02
Some Ghanaians believe Asamoah Gyan should be given another chance
The strides made by several Ghanaian players globally has touted the country’s football flair across the globe. Its dexterous players playing heterogeneously for different teams across the globe is remarkable.
Mother of all teams in Ghana is the Blacks Stars which has made not only Ghana but the entire African continent proud.
Despite its feats however, several players under the team have come under criticisms in various instances.
Most recent to have sparked criticism from sections of the public is Black Stars Captain, Asamoah Gyan. Gyan has been trolled severally by Ghanaians for missing penalty shoot outs in some games.
On 2nd July 2010, Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty in the field of play after Ghana progressed beyond the group stage and reached the quarter finals. Ghana was defeated by Uruguay on penalties after Luis Suárez controversially handballed on the goal line deep into extra time, denying Ghana an almost certain winning goal.
Had Ghana won their quarter final, they would have become the first African nation to progress to the semi-finals of the world cup, but the stars were denied the opportunity when Gyan’s shot struck the goal post leading to their defeat in the 4-2 in the shoot-out.
Captain, Asamoah Gyan for a long time after the last, refused to take a penalty for his country, his reason; his late mother advised him not to take a penalty for the country moving forward.
Well, Asamoah Gyan just about the time he seemed to have had a change of mind again flared up Ghanaians with the miss in Saturday’s game with the USA.
The penalty resulted in a 2-1 defeat to USA on Saturday July 1, 2017 at the Pratt and Whitney stadium.
Ghana who were trailing 1-0, were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time after Frank Acheampong was brought down in the box.
Ghanaians despite their displeasure at the Captain’s performance as far as penalties are concerned, have sympathised with him. For many, they would rather prefer that he remains in that position seeing the remarkable efforts he has made in previous games at least until an “equally qualified and experienced” player is identified for that role.