Captain Andre Ayew has for the umpteenth time insisted that 2022 Fifa World Cup final Group H clash against Uruguay is not about revenge for Ghana.
The two countries are set to meet for the first time since their quarterfinal clash at the Mundial in South Africa in 2010 – a game which ended controversially in favour of La Celeste.
Friday’s reunion has stirred memories of the incident from 12 years ago.
In the dying minutes of extra time, Uruguay forward Luis Suarez deliberately used his hands to stop a goal-bound header from Dominic Adiyiah which would have sent Ghana through to the World Cup semifinals.
Suarez was sent off – not much of a punishment with such little time left on the clock – before Asamoah Gyan missed the subsequent penalty and the opportunity to clinch the game.
Gyan composed himself to score a few minutes later in the penalty shootout but Uruguay would go on to win 4-2.
Speaking to GNA ahead of the match, skipper Andre Ayew – the only remaining member from the 2010 squad in the current team – says while he believes the country has not forgiven Suarez, the team is not out to exact revenge.
“I’m the only one left in the squad from when that happened.
“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.”
A win or draw at Al Janoub Stadium will see Ghana advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Kickoff is 15:00 GMT.
