Ghanaian lawmaker Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpo has publicly apologized to former Ghana Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan for intertwining his infamous 2010 penalty miss with politics.
His remarks faced widespread criticism from Ghanaians, particularly football fans, who deemed his comments inappropriate and immature.
In his official statement, he recognized the significant role that the Black Stars and other national teams play in representing the collective hopes, dreams, and ambitions of the Ghanaian people on the international stage. Therefore, after reflecting on the situation and considering the feedback received,
Dafeamekpor expressed remorse for his previous statements in a new post on Twitter, saying:
“The Black Stars & other national teams have iconically rallied & carried our passions, dreams, and aspirations for glory to the world. Upon reflection & calls from people like Kenpong, I retract & unreservedly apologize to Asamoah Gyan, for my comments.”
Rockson, who happens to be the Member of Parliament for South Dayi Constituency, said Gyan intentionally missed the penalty kick to prevent the then-ruling party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), from receiving all the glory.
Dafeamekpor’s belief is based on Gyan’s recent association with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), suggesting that the former Black Stars captain deliberately sabotaged the opportunity to ensure the NDC did not revel in the historic semi-finals. He said:
He intentionally missed that penalty at the 2010 World Cup because the NDC was in power then. He intentionally missed, for the glory would have come to the NDC. Asamoah Gyan is now part of Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team. There is everything wrong with that.
When you are a national figure like that and you become partisan, then we will begin to read meanings into the things you did against us.
