Asamoah Gyan scores Malaria goal to give Ghana a lifeline in 2015 AFCON
Gyan names his most memorable moments in AFCON as Black Stars striker
Black Stars all-time top scorer, Asamoah Gyan dedicated two pages to write about his ‘malaria goal’ against the Dessert Foxes of Algeria in the 2015 African Cup of Nations in his book titled LeGyanDary.
Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a lifeline in the 2015 AFCON following the Black Stars' first group game defeat against the Teranga Lions of Senegal after stealing the three points for Ghana in the second game against Algeria.
A half-fit Asamoah Gyan who missed the first game against Senegal, scored the only goal in the second minute of in injury time, after chasing down a long pass from Mubarak Wakaso to give Ghana the victory.
The goal was termed as a 'Malaria goal' because Asamoah Gyan had tested positive of the disease and was doubtful for the game after missing the first one.
Reflecting on his long-standing career in the Black Stars, Gyan wrote in his book that he considers that goal as one of his most memorable performances as a Black Star striker.
Read the narration below:
We faced the might of Algeria on a cold evening on Friday, 23rd January, 2015. I walked onto the pitch breathless, looking pale and sickly but yet with the heart of a warrior ready to cause damage to the opponent. My body wanted to sit down but my love for the team and my country wouldn’t let me.
The game started and I had a chance but couldn’t do much with the ball. The Algerians, realising how unwell I was, kept pushing me off the ball at the least opportunity. I kept pushing on but lacked the characteristic sharpness of my play. The team tried to keep the game going by helping me in attack. Everyone realised how ineffective and out of place I was on the field.
Ghana's Asamoah Gyan strikes late to give his side victory over Algeria | Africa Cup of Nations 2015 | The Guardian
It was so bad that the coach called me and asked if I was ready to be subbed. I know how much respect Avram had for me and coupled with the fact that I was a captain, he understood the need for me to be supportive of his actions. I explained to him that I had the inkling that I would score and he should give me some more time. I felt there was something ahead that would open up a chance for me to get that all-important goal.
During halftime, things seemed gloomy but my presence in the dressing room uplifted the team. I encouraged them not to give up and push harder. I told them we had victory assured and after the 90 minutes, we would be victorious. Avram stood smiling at the passion with which I spoke. I am sure he enjoyed watching the captain exert himself this well on the other teammates. We returned to the pitch with a lot of confidence.
In the second half, things got tougher for me. I felt awful. My whole body ached, excruciatingly. I took each step with great difficulty. Running left me breathless. Each attack saw me gasping for air. The earth would be spinning at times and I had to steady myself.
Afcon-2015: Gyan produced magical performance Against Algeria | News Ghana
The Algerians had a clear chance to score but they missed after the shot went wide of the goal. It was still a goalless draw in the 90th minute. As I trudged along the pitch, I wondered if my presence had counted for nothing. Was all the pain in vain? Had I risked my life for nothing at all?
I reminded myself that I had done my bit and pushed as hard as I could and even if we drew the game, I had done my bit to ensure the team qualified. In the 92nd minute, the worth of that sacrifice was seen. Wakaso had the ball in our half. He saw me making the run. Till date, I still wonder why he took that chance to try and reach me.
I mean I had been woeful through the game and lacked any possibility of getting a goal. But he still believed in me. He hit the ball towards me. It was a long pass from our half to attack. When the ball was in mid-flight, a lot of things went through my mind. Should I chase and see what comes out of it? Or I should just let it go.
Last-gasp Asamoah Gyan seals dramatic win for Ghana - Eurosport
I was exhausted after running around for 90 minutes. But when the ball hit the ground I knew I could do it. It was a do or die affair for me. I knew this was less than a half-chance but everything was possible."
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Asamoah Gyan is the all-time top scorer for Ghana with 51 goals