by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has shared a candid reflection on Luis Suarez’s infamous handball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal between Ghana and Uruguay.
In an interview, Gyan offered a pragmatic view of the controversial moment, insisting Suarez was simply acting in the best interest of his country.
“For me, as a footballer, I understand. He did what he had to do to save his country. He cheated, yes, but he became a hero,” Gyan said.
The incident, which denied Ghana a last-gasp winning goal, remains one of the most painful moments in African football history. Suarez was sent off for the deliberate handball, but Gyan missed the resulting penalty — a moment that still haunts the former Sunderland striker.
“That is what hurts the most. It’s not about Suarez anymore; it’s about the fact that I didn’t finish the job. It’s something I will live with for the rest of my life,” Gyan admitted, mixing humour with regret. He revealed that he had scored 20 penalties in training the day before the match, making the miss even harder to accept.
Despite the controversy, Gyan expressed respect for Suarez’s mindset, acknowledging the ruthless reality of elite football.
“As players, we do what it takes to win. I respect him for that. I just wish I’d done better,” he added.
Uruguay eventually won the tie in a penalty shootout, and the match continues to stir debate and emotion in Ghana more than a decade later.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan believes African superstars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané were worthy of winning football’s most prestigious individual award but were unfairly overlooked in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Black Stars captain reflected on the long-standing challenges African players face in gaining full recognition on the global stage.
“Salah could have won a Ballon d’Or. Mané could have won a Ballon d’Or,” Gyan said, stressing that both players produced performances and achievements strong enough to merit the honour.
Gyan’s comments reignite debate around African representation in the Ballon d’Or, an award historically dominated by European and South American stars, despite the consistent excellence of African players at club and international level.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has reacted to the Super Eagles’ painful exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties.
The tightly contested encounter ended 0–0 after regulation time and extra time, before Morocco prevailed in the shootout to book their place in the final.
While much of the post-match conversation has centred on refereeing decisions, Chelle chose a more measured perspective, refusing to dwell on officiating and instead acknowledging Morocco’s effort on home soil.
“There is a lot to say about the intensity, the movement, and the spirit,” Chelle admitted, adding that the Atlas Lions’ victory was not undeserved.
Despite the disappointment, the former Mali national team coach praised his players for their commitment and resilience throughout the tournament.
“This match was not easy. But our players fought for every ball. It’s crazy that we lost on penalties, but that’s football. Life goes on. Morocco deserved their victory. I am proud of my players, but I am disappointed for them. We were, perhaps, the best team in this AFCON,” Chelle said.
With Nigeria’s title hopes over, Chelle has already shifted focus to the classification match, urging his squad to finish the tournament on a high note.
“The competition is not over. We have the classification match to win,” he added.
Nigeria will now face Egypt in the AFCON 2025 classification match, while Morocco and Senegal are set to contest the final for continental supremacy.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
Former Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan has dismissed long-held misconceptions surrounding the football rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, stressing that the fierce competition is driven by passion rather than animosity.
In a recent interview, the Black Stars legend explained that encounters between the two West African heavyweights have always been intense and emotionally charged, but should never be interpreted as personal or national hatred.
“The rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria is not hatred,” Gyan said, emphasizing that such contests are a natural and exciting part of football.
Drawing from his vast international experience, Gyan noted that rivalries add colour to the game, fuel fan engagement, and push players to perform at their best. However, he urged supporters from both countries to balance passion with respect and sportsmanship.
The former Sunderland and Al Ain forward also reflected on his own battles against the Super Eagles, revealing that despite the ferocity of matches on the pitch, relationships between players often remain friendly away from the spotlight.
“On the field, we compete hard, but off the field, it’s all about mutual respect,” he added.
Gyan’s remarks come at a time when Ghana–Nigeria clashes continue to attract massive attention, with narratives sometimes exaggerating tensions between the two nations. He called on fans to channel their emotions positively and focus on celebrating the game rather than fueling divisions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea has responded to the wave of criticism that followed his performance in Wednesday night’s AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and hosts Morocco in Rabat.
The highly charged encounter ended goalless after 90 minutes and extra time, before Morocco edged the Super Eagles 4–2 on penalties to book a place in the final.
Laryea, however, became a central talking point after the match, with many Nigerian fans accusing him of biased officiating in favour of the hosts. One of the most debated moments was his decision to caution Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey, a yellow card that would have ruled the Fulham man out of the final had Nigeria progressed.
Super Eagles players Akor Adams and Bright Osayi-Samuel were also vocal in their frustration after the match, with Osayi-Samuel branding the referee’s performance “appalling.”
Addressing the criticism in an interview on Sporty TV, Laryea played down the backlash, saying:
“No, it’s okay. It’s football.”
The criticism has not been limited to Nigerian fans alone. Earlier in the tournament, following Algeria’s round-of-16 defeat to Nigeria, the Algerian Football Federation reportedly submitted official complaints to CAF and FIFA over what they described as poor officiating during the match.
