Gyan, currently of U.A.E. club Al-Ain, took a hiatus from international soccer after his missed penalty kick in the semifinal of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Zambia condemned Ghana to a 1-0 loss. It sent the pre-tournament favorite home early.
The shank against Zambia was the second high-profile penalty miss in Gyan’s career. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals against Uruguay, Gyan missed a late freebie, and Ghana would later go on to lose via penalty-shootout. Had he converted his attempt, Gyan and The Black Stars would have been the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals in the competition’s history.
Following the loss to Zambia, Gyan announced an “indefinite break” from The Black Stars in order to clear his head.
“It was due to some psychological reasons. The penalty misses have affected me a little and not the criticisms. I expect the criticisms. It’s normal in the game,” Gyan told Peace FM.
“I had to take a break so I can psyche myself well. My confidence in the national team had gone low and I hope to return with bigger confidence.
“The decision to return was made with the incredible support of my family, friends and the football family of Ghana.
“I am fully focused on our clear goals ahead, in helping my nation qualify for both the AFCON 2013 and the World Cup in 2014,” he concluded.
Fans of the United States Men’s National Team will be very familiar with Gyan. His goal in extra-time of the 2010 World Cup round of 16 powered The Black Stars past The Stars and Stripes 2-1, sending the Americans packing.
His exploits at the 2010 World Cup — where he scored three goals despite his crucial penalty miss — earned him a transfer to Sunderland in the English Premier League.
A promising debut season was cut short through injury and was then followed by a controversial, yet lucrative loan to Al-Ain. Gyan’s wages were quadrupled while Sunderland was given a massive £6 million ($9.6 million) fee.
The loan was recently turned into a permanent transfer. Sunderland reportedly received another £6 million ($9.6 million) installment — allowing it to recoup its expenses in acquiring the player from French club Rennes in 2010.
The deal sounds nice on Gyan’s end as well. The player is now earning an estimated £140,000 (about $217,000) per week, far more than he could have ever dreamed of at Sunderland.
Have a soccer question? Send it to us via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here.
Photo via Flickr/makeroadssafe
