Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has opened up about one of the most painful moments of his football career, admitting that missing a crucial penalty nearly pushed him into early retirement.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with former England defender Rio Ferdinand, Gyan reflected on the infamous moment when he failed to convert a decisive penalty in a major tournament, a miss that remains etched in the memories of football fans across Africa.
“I felt like I let Africa down,” Gyan said. “That was one of the worst moments of my career. I would have ended my career at that time.”
Pressed by Ferdinand on whether he truly meant retirement, the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker did not hesitate. “Yes, I would have,” he replied, describing the emotional toll the moment took on him.
Gyan explained that his career was ultimately revived during the subsequent penalty shootout, when he was asked to take Ghana’s first kick. Despite the crushing pressure and lingering fear, he stepped forward.
“I was scared,” he admitted. “My legs were gone. My head, everything was gone. I was very emotional.”
Yet, standing on the penalty spot once again, Gyan found the resolve to confront his demons. “I said to myself, it was just a mistake. Go and prove to people that you can score,” he recalled. “I went there, took it and I scored. That was what revived my career.”
The interview also touched on the long-standing football rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, a fixture often described as one of Africa’s fiercest. Gyan was keen to dispel notions of hostility between the two nations.
“It’s a good rivalry,” he said. “It’s not hatred. We always want to challenge ourselves. They want to beat us, and we want to beat them — even with jollof.”
Gyan stressed that beneath the competitive edge lies mutual respect and affection. “Anybody who says we hate each other, that’s not it,” he said. “We love each other, but we don’t want the other side to win. It’s like siblings competing.”
The former Black Stars captain said the rivalry has helped elevate African football, pushing both nations to higher standards. “It’s a very good rivalry, and I’m loving it,” he added.
Gyan’s candid reflections offered a rare glimpse into the mental strain faced by elite athletes and the resilience required to recover from moments that could otherwise define — or end — a career.