The ball hit the crossbar and flew over. It was the last minute of extra time in Johannesburg in July 2010, and Asamoah Gyan had just missed the penalty that would have sent Ghana into the World Cup semi-finals, the first African team ever to get there. Uruguay won the shootout. Gyan stepped up and scored his own kick in that shootout minutes later, and he went on to score more goals for Ghana than anyone in history. For many fans, both facts belong to the same man.
Early years and the 2006 World Cup
Gyan was born in Accra in November 1985. He played for Liberty Professionals, a club known for developing young talent, before moving to Italy as a teenager. His older brother, Baffour Gyan, also played for the Black Stars. He spent several seasons with Udinese, including a loan at Modena, and then moved to Rennes in France. His speed and strength made him a handful for defenders, and he became a regular for Ghana.
Ghana reached its first World Cup in 2006. Gyan scored against the Czech Republic inside the first two minutes, one of the fastest goals of the tournament, and Ghana went on to reach the round of 16.
2010, Sunderland and Al Ain
In 2010, he scored penalties against Serbia and Australia and the extra-time winner against the United States in the round of 16. Then came the quarter-final against Uruguay, Luis Suárez’s goal-line handball and the penalty that hit the bar. Weeks after the World Cup, Sunderland signed him for a club-record fee. He scored on his debut and quickly won over the fans, including with goals against Newcastle.
In 2011 he moved to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, first on loan and then permanently. The move surprised many in England, but he scored freely and won league titles there.
Later clubs, 2014 and the record
Gyan went on to play in China for Shanghai SIPG, and later in Turkey and India, before returning home to Legon Cities. He scored against Germany and Portugal in 2014, taking his World Cup total to six goals, the most by an African player. The tournament itself was overshadowed by a row over appearance fees. He finished his international career with 51 goals for Ghana, the national record. He also captained the Black Stars for several years.
Away from football, Gyan recorded songs under the name Baby Jet and invested in businesses in Ghana, including transport and aviation.
Retirement and the penalty
He announced his retirement from football in 2023, with tributes from players and fans across Africa. Gyan has spoken many times about the miss against Uruguay. He has said it hurt for years and that he still thinks about it, but that he was proud he had the courage to take the next one. No Ghanaian has scored more goals for his country. Yet when Gyan walks into a room, the first thing many fans still mention is a ball that hit the crossbar in Johannesburg.
