Heroes, handballs and heartache

My Football Heroes Podcast

On July 2nd 2010, in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium, a crossbar denied Ghana from making history and becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final.

'Heroes, Handballs and Heartache' is the story of Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, detailing the highs and lows of an epic campaign which featured passion, penalties and pain.

When Asamoah Gyan's stoppage time penalty crashed off of the bar, it brought a close to one of the longest running heavyweight rivalries in football history - Ghanaian footballers versus crossbars. From Tony Yeboah's thunderous strikes in the mid 90s, to Michael Essien's Champions League haymaker against Barcelona, Ghanaian footballers have been going toe to toe with the woodwork- in a slugfest akin to Ali versus Frazier or Fury versus Wilder. But sadly, it was that crossbar in Johannesburg which struck the knockout blow in this titanic battle. Join us to relive the story of Ghana's World Cup journey, and how it was ultimately ended by a combination of the second coming of the hand of god, and a defiant piece of woodwork.

This episode is from our My Football Stories series, brought to you by My Football Heroes Podcast, with contributions from Ibrahim Mustapha (author of 'No Longer Naïve - African Football's Growing Impact at the World Cup), Roland (Pros Only Sports), Abid Imam (Freo de Janeiro), Richard Amponsah (Eagle-Eyed Football), K Sarps (Ball and Banter Podcast) and Coach Kojo (3 in Midfield/The Match Report).

Written by Paul Bacon. Researched by Lewis Bell. Artwork by Adam Burton. Music by HoliznaCCO. Created by My Football Heroes Podcast.