Ghana’s top scorer injured
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan suffered an
ankle injury in training on Monday and sat out most of a rigorous
two-hour session as Africa’s last hopes prepared for Friday’s World Cup
quarter-final.
“I felt a knock and it’s a bit swollen,
but I don’t think it’s too serious. By Friday I’ll be ready,” he told
reporters after a lengthy training session at Mogwase, near the team’s
Sun City base. Ghana play Uruguay on Friday at the Soccer City Stadium
in Johannesburg. Gyan sat with ice wrapped around his ankle and hobbled
away after the practice but was adamant he would be in the starting
line-up against Uruguay.
More injuries
Missing from the
session were captain, John Mensah; midfielder, Kevin-Prince Boateng;
and winger, Dede Ayew, who all picked up knocks in the weekend’s second
round win over the United States. Boateng has a hamstring injury, and
is doubtful for Friday; and Mensah suffers from persistent back
problems. Ayew is resting an ankle knock plus is suspended for the
upcoming clash. But central defender Isaac Vorsah, who has missed the
last two matches for the Black Stars at the tournament in South Africa,
participated throughout the training in the crisp night air at the
small rural stadium.
Gyan, who has scored three of Ghana’s four goals at the finals, said
reaching the last eight was a massive achievement for the Black Stars.
“We are so happy to have qualified, it was so important for Ghana and
the whole of Africa. We qualified for second round four years ago and
this time we’ve made it to the quarters.” It was Gyan’s spectacular
extra-time volley that proved the winner in the 2-1 victory over the
Americans at Rustenburg on Saturday. “The goal was one of the best of
my career. I was pushed from behind and I should have fallen down (to
claim a penalty) but I resisted and I made it happen.” Thoughts of
targeting the tournament’s top scorer award, however, were not on his
mind, he told Reuters. “I’m only thinking about helping my team to win.
The prize is not important; remember football is a collective game.” </
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