*“Who should have taken it ? Appiah or Gyan?*

*By Dennis Narterh Adzigodi (Soccer Factsfile Newspaper) sportsdoctoronline@yahoo.com.*

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Oh! Is it true that Asomoah Gyan and captain Stephen Appiah struggled over which of them should have taken the last minute God-sent penalty against Uruguay at the World Cup? Action they say speaks more than word. So does our front page picture which has been seen almost everywhere already, the picture which shows Appiah seemingly warning Asamoah Gyan attest to the debate that indeed the pair fought the moment before that spot kick was taken?

If really they struggled before that kick was taken, then no wonder Asamoah missed that glorious opportunity. You can call me “Mr. Big mouth” I don’t care. But truly speaking, I don’t and I will never believe and it will even not happen that captain Appiah will struggle with Gyan in deciding who to convert that spot kick. I know Appiah won’t; truly he is a captain indeed. The fact that the picture gesture was later explained by Gyan on Happy FM’ sports program that as usual Stephen Appiah was urging him that he knows he can score and make it for Ghana and Africa.

Eii! Back to my question of the day, who is then the right candidate to convert that 120th minute God-sent opportunity.

APPIAH? YES. It should have been Appiah. I know if this question is asked in a class room or in a lecture hall the teacher or the lecturer will ask the students to explain with points. Now that I have set the ball rolling, I know you will ask me to explain with points too. If Appiah was to convert that kick he will certainly think of two most important records that will beckon him.

- He is the first ever captain to qualify Ghana to a FIFA World Cup, a record he ensured with his inspirational performances in qualifying the Stars to Germany 2006.

- Appiah will also have been the first captain to qualify an African team to a World Cup semi finals berth.

Appiah who has suffered from injury and club problems which has kept him out of full action for nearly two years and most importantly making all his South Africa 2010 appearances from the substitutes’ bench, will have also probably known that this could be his last World Cup action. I hope For Appiah him self knowing that will have been keen in taking that spot kick thus his reasons going for the ball in the first place to make history for him self and I know Appiah will score.

Should it have been Gyan to effect the kick? YES. Why? Truly speaking Gyan is clearly our first choice penalty taker and that was manifested in his two earlier spot kicks against Serbia and Australia. He will have also shunned Appiah in the quest to take the penalty probably because of this reasons;

- He knows for sure he is getting closer to Roger Milla’s World Cup record of five goals by an African.

- He also knew he is very good when it comes to spot kicks.

- And above all performing his popular “Gbohe dance”. OH! Ghana.

*And now my Verdict*. If Appiah had played and missed that penalty it might be disastrous for him. A dedicated captain Appiah would have turned from hero to a villain and will be swimming in a pool of criticism still by now which can also force him to resign prematurely. Yes by now, why? Don’t you know Ghanaians? It was just perfect and beautiful that Appiah did not take that penalty.

*Asamoah Gyan took *the penalty and as we all know, he missed it. Yes I know it was a total heart break for all Ghanaians. I remember very well that I was myself not able to eat for close to seven days. But the same Asamoah Gyan has earlier on scored from two spot kicks in the same tournament. Man! Those kicks were also vital as they enhanced our progress in the tournament. YES! Asamoah Gyan “the Baby Jet” was the right candidate to effect that spot kick in my opinion and he too and missed it; that is all. I therefore entreat all Ghanaians to forgive the young man; he has done a lot for us.

And for Luis Suarez, I pray his team Uruguay will never qualify to for any World Cup tournament till 2030 as my punishment for him and his country for deliberately handling the ball which could have made the history that beckoned Ghana and the entire Africa continent.

For Appiah, I reckon he is history himself and one of the best and finest football captains Ghana and Africa has ever produced. I pray and hope to see you in Brazil 2014. Surely if anyone ask me for a captain, I will only give out the man they call Stephen Appiah, the Tornado himself. Appiah! Man history still beckons and awaits him in Brazil 2014, go for it.

And for our dear stars I say congratulations, you made Ghana and Africa proud, and we can’t wait to celebrate the 2014 Brazil World Cup with you. To the entire Black Stars management not forgetting Coach Milo and his interpreter, I say “ayekoo”! But more importantly to the Ghana Football Association President, a certain Lawyer Kwesi Nyantakyi, I say kudos, you have really done a yeoman’s job and I can see your chances in contending for another term in office as bright. Man it’s yours, go for it!

And for our dear skipper Appiah once again I’m lost of words to describe him. Please Appiah just accept this word “HERO” from me. You are just great!

To end this verdict I would like to humbly congratulate and welcome all our first time readers to this wonderful column of our maiden Soccer Factsfile special edition. Expect more from this column as we promise to give you nothing but the best of sports analysis, tit-bits and criticisms you can ever think of.