Uruguay forward Luis Suarez said there is no reason for him to apologise to Ghana after his hand ball during their quarter-final clash at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Black Stars were looking to become the first African team to make it to semifinals in the history of the mundial and had a golden opportunity when Suarez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line.
Asamoah Gyan missed the resultant penalty and ultimately crashed out 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Suarez was jubilating after Gyan’s penalty miss which has incensed Ghanaian fans ever since, some describing him as the devil.
Ghana and Uruguay meet once again in a Group H encounter at the 2022 World Cup on Friday and Suarez does not believe he did any injustice to Ghana, claiming perhaps injuring Gyan would have made him apologise. That however was not the case at the electrically-charged game at Soccer City 12 years ago.
“I don’t apologise,” Suarez said ahead of Friday’s game.
“The Ghana player missed a penalty. Not me. I was sent off. If I injured a player I would apologise. Gyan said he would do the same.”
Andre Ayew is the only player in the current Ghana team that was present that night in South Africa in 2010. He acknowledged that Ghanaians haven’t forgiven Suarez but says the main focus should be making it to the Round of 16.
“I’m the only one left in the squad from when that happened,” Ayew previously said.”
“Everyone knows how we felt. Everyone felt bad but, for me, I just want to get to the next stage at this World Cup.
“It’s not about revenge. Whether it was, or not, we’ll go with the same determination and same desire to win because we want to reach the next stage.
“I don’t think Ghana has forgiven Luis Suarez. But for me, it’s football. He took a decision. There is nothing to speak about.”
Ghana currently sit second in Group H with three points. A big victory over the Uruguayans will guarantee their spot in the Round of 16 regardless of the outcome between South Korea and Portugal.
