Asamoah Gyan, the Ghanaian football legend, has expressed his frustration with certain individuals from the Ghana Olympic Football team, the Black Meteors, following their elimination from the competition.
Ghana fell short of expectations as they narrowly missed out on qualification to the National Elephants of Guinea on June 30, based on goal difference. This painful defeat means that Ghana's U23 national team will have to wait for another opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games.
Gyan criticized some players of the Black Meteors, claiming that they have developed an inflated sense of self-importance, which he believes contributed to the team's elimination. In a tweet, he stated, "What I saw in this Black Meteors team is some players think they are bigger than the whole team. Small hype and fame? SMH."
He further emphasized the importance of teamwork in modern football, highlighting the need for players to contribute both on and off the ball. Gyan noted that some players seemed to prioritize individual performance over collective effort, stressing the significance of defensive responsibilities. He tweeted, "Modern football is not only about what you do with the ball. It's about what you do without the ball. I see players thinking they can play alone. It's about time we wake up and defend when we lose the ball. SMH."
What I saw in this Black meteors team is some players think they are bigger than the whole team. Small hype and fame ? SHM. Modern football is not about only what you do with the ball. It’s about what you do without the ball. I see players thinking the can play alone. It’s about…
— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) June 30, 2023
Having been part of the Ghana Olympic team that competed in the FIFA Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 2004, Gyan shared his disappointment with the Black Meteors' elimination.
He recalled Ghana's own struggle to advance beyond the group stage during that tournament, resulting in a disappointing third-place finish behind Paraguay and Italy.
