Reflecting on the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa, stirs up nostalgic memories. How Ghana could have taken the world by storm. Just a kick away from making history. Just an inch for the ball to make it past the goal line.
Just a wee bit of luck. A mere “just”, notoriously averting the Black Stars from making history. Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty that rattled an entire continent altogether, can’t simply be forgotten in living memory.
Memorably, that missed penalty was not only a tough blow to the about 26 million Ghanaian fans back home cheering on the Black Stars who were on the international scene. But also, left an entire continent in disbelief and in a state of mourning, whiles many grew increasingly resentful.
The first World Cup ever to be hosted in Africa was not meant to end like this. Not when the odds were hugely in our favour. Not when a single kick, could have reshaped history and further sent shocking waves throughout the footballing community altogether. The prospect of Ghana making the semis, and perhaps, clinching that coveted trophy was what the African continent later bought into. But where did we lose the plot?
THE JOURNEY FROM THE GROUP-STAGE
In a throwback of events, prior to that ultimate blockbuster against Uruguay, Ghana had finished second in Group D with 4 points, qualifying to the next round alongside table toppers, Germany. In the first game, Asamoah Gyan’s lone goal from the penalty spot was enough to hand the Black Stars all the needed 3 points.
Then, a week later, a 1-1 stalemate versus Australia. Two games, four points and our safety of progressing never really seemed compromised in the least. Despite losing 1-0 to Germany in the last round of group-stage games, Joachim Low – Germany’s coach – would even attest to the fact that, the Black Stars were no pushovers. Simply put, Ghana tormented Germany – one of the tournament’s favourite.
Soon, a round of 16 clash against USA ensued. An absolute nail-biter which went deep into extra-time after a 1-1 scoreline in normal time. Then, Asamoah Gyan took matters into his own hands. Firing past Tim Howard in the 93rd minute whiles leaving the spectators in the stadium, many of whom were enthusiastically rallying behind the West African country, in utter pandemonium.
THE JOY THAT FOLLOWED
A hero! A leader! Quite obviously, many run out of superlatives to describe their deep-rooted happiness. In Ghana, Accra precisely, the streets were absolutely buzzing. The music, the excitement, the party, and the full blast of car horns were the new normal in town.
What is happiness? In that emotionally compelling chaos, nobody dared cast a forlorn figure. Men, women and children alike were insanely upbeat. No traces of a scintilla of sadness anywhere, it just didn’t feel right not to partake in the massive jubilation.
At this point, Ghana were the only African country to remain in the competition, one of the eight teams vying for that prestigious trophy. The host nation, South Africa, had been eliminated in the group-stages, too. And, the very fact that only one African country remained in the competition was reason enough for the African continent altogether, to show profound solidarity whiles rallying behind the Black Stars.
THE MISS THAT RATTLED THE CONTINENT
But soon, “Hero turns Villain”. Right in the nick of time, at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, Asamoah Gyan stood bravely, ready to unleash venom. He had converted from the penalty spot on two occasions prior – against Serbia and Australia all in the group-stages. Rationally, in every reasonable sense, he was the right man to take yet another penalty kick.
Only this time, his thunderous strike came off the cross-bar, leaving millions of Africans worldwide in deep stupefaction whiles some could not hold back their tears. Of course, in the end, the Black Stars lost on penalty shoot-out to Uruguay. Then, the critics began.”Stephen Appiah should have taken the penalty kick on this occasion”, many unimpressed citizens, irascibly lamented. How soon people forget.
How soon your good deeds are thrown out the window by those very people that actually praise you, only for them in the turn of events, to make room to accommodate such inexplicable loathe. Just one wrong and your rights don’t even matter. Such pathetic blame culture, entirely gross!
THE POSITVES
Gyan scored 3 of the 5 goals Ghana produced at that World Cup. A hero regardless of that painful miss. The continent’s dream never transpired, even on home soil. Regardless, 2010 World Cup South Africa was a tournament beautifully made. And sometimes, it’s okay for fairy-tales to end in a mildly disappointing fashion. Ghana, certainly, did us proud in 2010. And their impressive show, will forever remain embedded in our hearts. Ah Cheers!
Source: Bright Nana Boafo Antwi