Gyan suffers training ground scare
Reuters - Monday 28 June 2010, 19:34
MOGWASE - 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.
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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.
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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