Gyan warns Ghana to keep revenge out of equation against Uruguay
Revenge can be a slippery slope to hell and former captain Asamoah Gyan has warned Ghana to withstand the desire to head that path ahead of a clash against Uruguay at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Millions of Ghanaians want vengeance, but Gyan and former Ghana assistant coach Maxwell Konadu have warned against it.
Luis Suarez remains Ghana’s public enemy number one, and the rivalry will be renewed on (02 December) Friday when Ghana plays Uruguay in a Group H encounter (17:00).
Many Ghanaian football fans have pointed out on social media that this is more about Ghana versus Suarez than Ghana versus Uruguay.
The Ghanaians have not forgotten the Suarez moment that cost them a place in the World Cup semi-finals 12 years ago.
ADVANTAGE GHANA
The Black Stars enter Friday’s match with their destiny in their own hands. A win will advance them to the knockout stage, but a draw may suffice if Portugal defeats South Korea.
Unlike in 2010, Ghana has an advantage heading into the game. They have just won their first three points and are facing an opponent that is yet to win; they have a chance to avenge for 2010.
Konadu said on Ghanaian TV Joy Sports that filling the players’ heads with revenge talk will only make them ‘mess up’. As tempting as it would be to give Uruguay a taste of their own medicine, he stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand.
“My advice to Ghanaians today is that we shouldn’t put in the head of the players that we are going in for a revenge. If we do that they will just go and mess up. We should approach the game cautiously and make sure that we do the right thing like we did today (vs. South Korea),” he said.
“We should remain focused and concentrate to get the points from Uruguay. If we go in with the mentality of revenge thing we will go and start and mess up.”
GYAN’S ADVICE TO GHANA
Meanwhile, Gyan echoed Konadu’s words, while also praising Inaki Williams, saying he makes some of the runs that tire defenders out, which they will need on Friday.
“He [Williams] is giving everything and this is what we need in the national team, although he is not used to the team. He is playing with the heart, he is giving everything,” he said.
“People will have it at the back of their minds this revenge thing against Uruguay. It’s a normal thing but it shouldn’t get to our head too much.
“We have to stick to the game plan. Thinking about revenge wouldn’t help,” added Gyan.
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The article is compiled by Tlalane Phahla