Ghana’s leading goal scorer of all time, Asamoah Gyan has disclosed the importance of mental health for athletes at the Afro Sports Summit in Accra.

His focus on this issue stems from the infamous penalty miss during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which took place on African soil for the first time.

Gyan highlighted the impact of severe criticism from fans on his mental well-being, stressing the significance of mental health for footballers.

Additionally, he acknowledged former Black Stars defender Sammy Kuffour for his support in dealing with the situation and for encouraging him to make productive investments.

“The backlash was intense and it took a toll on me,” he admitted. “But it also made me realize the importance of mental health. Athletes need to take mental health issues seriously and seek help when needed.”

“Sammy Kuffour was a trailblazer. His vision and tenacity for creating wealth helped me through some of my toughest times before and after my footballing career,” Gyan said.

“The backlash was intense and it took a toll on me,” Gyan said.

It would be recalled that the 2010 South Africa World Cup saw Gyan presented with the chance to create history for Ghana by securing a spot in the semifinals, a milestone no African team had reached before.

This opportunity came about due to a last-minute handball by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in the penalty area.

Gyan took the crucial penalty kick, but unfortunately, it hit the crossbar, despite the goalkeeper moving in the opposite direction.

Ghana ended up losing in the subsequent penalty shootout, missing out on a semifinal berth that had seemed well within their reach. T

his match, along with Suarez’s handball, has since been recognized as two of the most memorable moments in World Cup history.

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