Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has issued a bizarre excuse as to why he missed the crucial penalty against Uruguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa following Luis Suarez's recent remarks about that controversial moment.
With Ghana and Uruguay set to meet for the first time on Friday since their contentious clash in Johannesburg 12 years ago, Suarez revealed on Thursday that he had no remorse for his deliberate handball and seemingly shifted the blame to Gyan, who missed the resulting penalty.
The 37-year-old Accra-born star has now explained that he is still dazed over that infamous spot-kick, saying it was a "technical error or something".
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"I scored a penalty in the first game, a very crucial one against Serbia, and I scored against Australia through a penalty as well," Gyan told BBC Sport.
"I scored in extra-time against America so the confidence level was that high. Against Uruguay, when we had a penalty, although there was pressure, I was the most confident player in the world.
"I just needed to step up and shoot. Honestly, I will say it was one of these days because my penalties do not go that high. I didn't know how that penalty went high.
"I think it was a technical error or something.
"When we went to the penalty shootout, I just wanted to prove a point. I had to step up and I scored – you have to come back and prove yourself."
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has insisted that Suarez cannot be held responsible for his actions as he believes any other player would have done the same for their country.
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"In general, it's about perspective," Addo said in a press conference, per Goal.
"If the same incident had happened the other way around and Ghana had proceeded to the semi-finals, everyone would have said that it's OK, it's normal that a player would do everything that he can to help his team to go to the semi-finals.
"So for me, it's not a big topic.
"This is what I wish from every player, to do all that he can do to help his team qualify and sometimes even sacrifice himself with red cards.
"It was a very sad day for me. I watched it and I was so sad. But this is my perspective.
"If I see it from another perspective, it's a normal thing so for me it's not a big topic and I'm going into the match like every other match."
Ghana will take on Uruguay in their final Group H game at 5pm SAST on Friday evening, with a place in the round of 16 still up for grabs.
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