The 2010 South Africa World Cup remains a history to reckon across the world. All the way from the launch all through.
But then comes that African moment, the moment every African was behind Ghana, pushing them hard until the unfortunate happened as Luiz Suarez turned himself into a goal keeper to deny Ghana that needed 120th minute goal.
We feature one man who was literally hurt by the Luiz Suarez undoing.
“I was really left hurt and disappointed. ASAMOAH GYAN and his penalty cut me to the marrows!
2010,Ghana was my team in the historic World Cup in South Africa.” Narrates Gilbert Juma an ardent Arsenal and Afc Leopard fanatic.
” They had battled through a tough group, beating USA to reach the Quarter finals,notwithstanding that Bill Clinton was actually cheering the great USA! Only Uruguay stood in the way for my favourite team to make history as the first African team to reach the Semi Finals in the World Cup.” says Juma
In 2002,the great Senegal squad had come so close almost doing what Cameroon failed to do in 1994. This was the best Africa had performed so far in the World Cup.
With just two minutes to stoppage, the Uruguay goal keeper had been beaten by Andrew Ayew but Suarez became a goal keeper, kicking the ball with his hands, earning a red card immediately. Ghana earned a penalty.
“The moment the penalty was awarded, I stood up, cared less about whether dad was seated or not, I ran outside, jogged three times across our field, did seven push-ups then removed my Shirt as I ran back to watch Asamoah Gyan take the penalty! I stood right in front of our Black and White Philips, closed my eyes and told God to let Africa make History! As Asamoah stepped back, took a breather and slowly stepped forward, it was actually the 90th minute, stoppage time! Adrenaline tortured me. Asamoah stepped forth, gave a thunderous bolt that for the gods of Ghana, hit the cross bar, and went up into heavens! I almost fainted.I almost died! I became sick, I didn’t swallow anything that night, I shed a few drops of tears and suffered a battering pneumonia for a whole week! ” adds on Juma.
Ghana went ahead to lose the entire match via post match spot kicks.
Having suffered enough under the heartbreaks of Afc Leopards and Arsenal, Juma slowly kissed good bye to extreme football fanaticism.
Brian Wanyama