AFCON 2015: Gyan’s Heroics Marred by Post-Match Anti-Doping Delay
Asamoah Gyan was Ghana’s saviour once again on Friday night, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to hand the Black Stars a 1-0 victory over Algeria in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 90+3-minute strike revived Ghana’s hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals and sealed a vital three points in Mongomo. But the post-match narrative took a different turn as Gyan was delayed in completing a routine anti-doping procedure.
According to Africa Top Sports correspondent Steven Lavon, nearly two hours after the final whistle, Gyan was still unable to provide a urine sample required for testing.
The incident has raised a few eyebrows, especially given that the striker had missed Ghana’s opening match against Senegal due to illness, with team doctors confirming he had been suffering from a mild bout of malaria. Despite the setback, Gyan returned to the starting lineup against Algeria and played a full match, capping his performance with a decisive goal in the dying moments.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing, and delays in anti-doping procedures are not uncommon, particularly when players are dehydrated or fatigued after high-intensity matches.
Gyan’s goal has put Ghana back in contention in what has been a fiercely competitive Group C, with everything now riding on their final group game against South Africa on 27 January.
For now, the Black Stars will be hoping their talisman stays fit — and cleared — as they chase a spot in the quarter-finals.
