Watch how fans mobbed Asamoah Gyan in South Africa during the World Cup

At first glance, you would think it was the late Nelson Mandela arriving somewhere in South Africa.

Crowds gathered, phones and cameras stretched into the air, and fans pushed forward, hoping for a glimpse, a handshake, or even just the chance to say they had seen him.

But the man at the centre of the frenzy was not the iconic statesman. It was Ghana’s very own “Baby Jet,” Asamoah Gyan, who had become one of the most recognisable faces of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

During the tournament in South Africa, Gyan’s popularity was impossible to ignore. Wherever he went, the crowd followed.

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At shopping malls, fans gathered in large numbers hoping to catch a glimpse of the striker.

Many waited patiently just to take photos with him, while others shared their excitement after seeing the Ghana star.

The same scenes played out at training grounds, where supporters often mobbed the forward, calling his name and asking for pictures. Security and team officials frequently had to guide him through the excited crowds.

At the time, Gyan had become Ghana’s poster boy at the tournament.

His goals and leadership inspired the Black Stars on a historic run that carried them all the way to the quarter-finals, the furthest any African team had ever reached at the World Cup at the time.

The dream of a semi-final place came agonisingly close before slipping away. In the dying seconds of extra time against Uruguay, Gyan stepped up to take a penalty that could have sent Ghana into the last four.

The shot struck the crossbar, and the match eventually ended in heartbreak. Yet despite that painful moment, the love from fans across South Africa remained overwhelming.

Watch the video below:

FKA/JE

Meanwhile, watch videos of Ghanaian boxers training ahead of Legacy Rise Sports’ Fightcard.