2014 World Cup: I let Dempsey go over fear of giving away a penalty, says Ghana defender John Boye

Published on: 18 June 2014
2014 World Cup: I let Dempsey go over fear of giving away a penalty, says Ghana defender John Boye
Ghana defender John Boye challenging USA’s Clint Dempsey for the ball

Ghana defender John Boye says he refrained from making a challenge on Clint Dempsey on his way to scoring the opener in the 2-1 loss to the USA on Monday night over fear of giving away a penalty and risking a sending off.

The American skipper danced his way through the Ghana defence and coolly slotted home under virtually no challenge under just one minute of the second Group G game at the 2014 World Cup in Natal.

The early lead stunned the Black Stars who had to dig very deep to pull even with just eight minute left to play through Andre Ayew.

USA however restored their lead moments later with debutant John Brooks heading in a corner kick to win his side’s first three points of the competition being held in Brazil.

Many however put Ghana’s shocking defeat to the USA down to the early concession which saw defender John Boye easily letting go off his marker to score the opener.

But the Stade Rennes man explains he couldn’t make a tackle for fear of giving away a penalty of even getting sent off.

“The ball had passed already so if I had done anything, I would have just kicked him,” he said. “It was too early in the game and I didn’t want to give away a penalty kick so I had to let him go.”

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more