‘Bitterness’: - Bristol City striker seeks revenge on Uruguay and Luis Suarez at World Cup

Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo wants Ghana to avenge their loss to Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup. The Black Stars lost in the quarter-finals in South Africa but the game has created a rivalry.

For the first time in 12 years, the two times will meet with the last meeting surrounded in controversy. Luis Suarez was the pantomime villain in Johannesburg.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari put Ghana ahead - representing the continent of Africa - but Diego Forlan equalised to send the game to extra time.

The game was evenly poised but Ghana had a golden chance to take the lead. Steven Appiah’s initial shot was blocked by the former Liverpool striker and then he illegally palmed away Dominic Adiyah’s header from goal.

Suarez was penalised, he was red-carded and Ghana had a penalty kick. Step forward Asomah Gyan. The former Sunderland striker was unable to score from 12-yards and ultimately his side played the price. Suarez could be seen

Despite Gyan scoring Ghana’s first penalty, they ended up losing 4-2 on penalties and Uruguay would end up winning, going on to lose to the Netherlands in the semi-final.

Semenyo was just 10 years old when one of the World Cup’s most memorable moments happened. Now 22 years old, Semenyo, who made his World Cup bow against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, now wants to overcome the South American side.

“I hate to say this but when we played against Uruguay,” he said when asked what his first real memory of a World Cup before jetting off to the World Cup earlier this month. “Asomah Gyan missed a penalty. It was one of the main highlights I had. Hopefully, we can change that.

“We still have that bitterness, 100 percent. We definitely want to go into that game fiery and get the result. We will do whatever we can or do to get the result.”

Friday’s match with Uruguay will be decisive as to when Semenyo returns to the High Performance Centre. Ghana are currently second with Uruguay bottom though they could overtake them. Uruguay will be dependent on South Korea also not winning against Portugal.

Asked before the tournament began, Nigel Pearson admitted that he would expect Semenyo to come straight back in. If Ghana are eliminated then Semenyo could be in contention for City’s match away at Rotherham United on Saturday, December 10.

Should Ghana win they would play the winners of Group G on December 5, before a potential quarter-final on December 9. Whatever the outcome, Semenyo is prepared to return to Failand and is ready to be called upon.

“I think I would want to come back straight in,” Semenyo said. “I’m coming back from injury now and the World Cup coming now is probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

“It can boost up my fitness so when I am back I am raring to go I’ll be fiery. I think coming straight back is what I intend to do.”