GHANA coach Otto Addo said he pinned no blame on Andre Ayew after the striker missed a penalty in their 2-0 defeat to Uruguay that knocked them out and stirred up painful memories of their 2010 exit.
Ayew’s tame effort was saved by Sergio Rochet in the 21st minute of the Group H encounter at Al Janoub Stadium and Uruguay made them pay with two quick goals from Giorgian de Arras-caeta before halftime.
While the victory was not enough to send the Uruguayans through, it condemned the Black Stars to bottom place in the group and heading home.
It was a familiar story for Ghana, who 12 years ago in South Africa missed an extra-time spot kick in a quarter-final defeat against Uruguay following a now infamous handball from Luis Suarez.
Addo said Ayew, who was substituted at halftime, deserved credit for stepping up to take the spot kick and hailed his leadership qualities within the squad.
“This is football. When I was a player I didn’t like taking penalties so I have to applaud everyone who is going there,” he told reporters.
“For me Andre has done a lot for the squad. He is such a great character and a leader.”
Suarez was once again a thorn in the side of the Ghana defence and his influence on the game – within the rules this time – was just as impactful as in 2010.
Addo would be forgiven for thinking that his side had exacted an element of revenge for the manner of their 2010 exit, even in defeat, after they prevented Uruguay from snatching a third goal that would have seen them progress to the next round.
Yet he said that was far from his mind.
“What hurts the most is that we are out, it doesn’t matter who it was. I know that the public and a lot of people were seeking revenge, but I don’t think this way and I told the players that they shouldn’t think this way too,” he said.
The coach announced that his time in charge of Ghana was over.
“I said I would resign after the World Cup even if we were world champions,” he said. — Reuters
