Soccer News of Monday, 18 July 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

I was close to breaking my promise in 2012 - Asamoah Gyan

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has revealed he was close to breaking his promise of refraining from penalties on international duty during the 6-1 win over Egypt in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers playoffs first leg.

Gyan announced his decision back in November 2012 as a pledge to his later mother.

"I was tempted to take the penalty that was eventually taken by Sulley Muntari in our 6-1 win over Egypt,” the Shanghai SIPG star told Accra-based Hot FM.

"I wanted to take it to allow me score a hat trick but couldn’t because of my promise to my late mother."

He was pilloried when he missed a penalty in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals defeat to Zambia.

Some disgruntled fans marched to his parent’s residence to register their displeasure and that forced him quit international football temporarily.

His last-minute penalty miss against Uruguay which denied Ghana a historic 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final berth, remains etched on the minds of Ghanaian.