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Sports News of Monday, 11 May 2020

Source: footballghana.com

Gyan's mother was harassed by Ghanaians after penalty miss at 2010 World Cup - Pallbearer

Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan

Popular pallbearer Benjamin Aidoo has disclosed that some Ghanaians harassed Asamoah Gyan's mother after his penalty miss in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final clash against Uruguay.

The Black Stars reached the last-eight stage in South Africa in what was just their second World Cup campaign.

Ghana were on the verge of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final when they were awarded a penalty in added time of the second period of extra-time after Luis Suarez had used his hand to prevent Dominic Adiyiah's header from finding the net.

The Uruguayan was given a straight red card but Gyan wasted the consequent penalty after smashing it onto the bar before the ball looped over.

"No, no, they still haven't forgiven him [Gyan]. You know that Ghanaians do not forgive. We do not forgive," Aidoo told FootMercato.

"The day he missed the penalty, the Ghanaians went to his mother's house and harassed her. His failure had consequences on his mother's health after that, it was really sad.

"So his mother told Asamoah to never take a penalty in his life again. This is why you will never see Asamoah again venture to take a penalty because he promised never to risk it again. And now that his mother is 80 years old, I think he is following her wish."

Aidoo continued, "You know, someone has to lose in order for someone to win."

"So for me, I think it's normal. I think he did his best. We are only spectators. If you are not on the field, it is because you do not have the level, so you cannot judge.

"If he [Gyan] is there, it is because he has a good reason to be there and we must encourage him, whether he is good or bad. I do not blame him.

"You pay them, you believe in them, but in the end, they lose. I don't watch them anymore, I wait. If they win then I will rejoice and if they do not win I will go about my business.