Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has expressed his lingering frustration over a controversial coaching decision during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations final against Egypt.
Despite being a key player throughout the tournament, Gyan, now 38, revealed he was surprisingly pulled from the game just two minutes after Egypt took the lead.
“It pained me because I predicted I would score,” Asamoah Gyan said in a recent interview. “But when they scored and were celebrating, I saw the No. 3 on the substitution board. It’s one of the weirdest substitutions I’ve ever seen.”
The substitution, which saw Dominic Adiyiah replace Gyan in the 87th minute, left many Ghanaians bewildered. With the score at 1-0 and time running out, Gyan’s attacking presence was seen as crucial for Ghana’s chances of equalizing. Mohammed Gedo’s goal in the 85th minute proved to be the winner, handing Egypt the trophy.
While the substitution left a bitter taste, Gyan’s overall contribution to the Black Stars during the 2010 AFCON cannot be denied. He finished the 2010 AFCON with three goals
Gyan, a prolific striker who spent time with English club Sunderland, remains Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals in 109 appearances. He also boasts a strong record in the AFCON, having participated in seven tournaments and contributing eight goals and six assists in 31 matches for the Black Stars.