National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has accused former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan of deliberately missing a crucial penalty during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final clash against Uruguay.
The Black Stars were on the brink of making history by securing a spot in the World Cup semi-finals when Gyan had the opportunity to convert a penalty with the game tied at 1-1. Unfortunately, his kick hit the crossbar, and Ghana eventually lost in the penalty shootout.
According to Dafeamekpor, Gyan’s alleged intentional miss was influenced by his political allegiance to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realization that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC.
“Asamoah Gyan is now part of the Bawumia campaign team. There is everything wrong with that because when you are a national figure and you become partisan I can reasonably say that it’s because of politics you threw that penalty away so that the NDC government will not get the glory. I am telling you that I feel the pain,” he Radio XYZ interview.
Asamoah Gyan intentionally missed penalties because NDC was in power – Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Mp for South Dayi constituency. #3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/leYqe3IaEx
— #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) March 1, 2024
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Dafeamekpor’s comment follows Gyan’s inclusion in NPP’s campaign manifesto appointees ahead of the 2024 elections. THe former striker will head the sub-committee of Youth and Sports.
The lawmaker’s remarks form part of an echoing voice of criticism questioning Gyan’s neutrality amidst the appointment.
Gyan says he is however unfazed by the accusations and is focused on contributing to the revival of sports with his wealth of experience.
“They have their own opinions. I have been there [before]. I have been to stadia, been booed in front of 80,000 people, I am used to it.”
“At the end of the day when everything is said and done, we see what we did or what we couldn’t do. The criticisms will come. It is also good for me personally and for my team to push harder…”
The former Sunderland forward holds the record as Africa’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals, and the all-time top scorer of the Black Stars with 51 goals.