Ghanaian football legend John Mensah is unexpectedly back in the spotlight, and it’s for a reason you probably didn’t see coming.
The former Black Stars center-back is trending on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), after fans were reminded of his infamous penalty in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
But what triggered the nostalgia? A stunning penalty from Dango Ouattara in Bournemouth’s FA Cup clash against Wolves.
Ouattara’s Ice-Cold Penalty
During Bournemouth’s dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Wolves, Ouattara stepped up and slotted in one of the most composed penalties you’ll ever see.
The winger barely moved after placing the ball, locked eyes with the goalkeeper, and calmly rolled his shot past Sam Johnstone, who was left helpless.
A clip of the moment quickly went viral, with X account “The 44” posting: “This is one of the COLDEST penalties I’ve ever seen.”
Dango Ouattara’s penalty against Wolves in the #FACup 🇧🇫
— AfroBallers (@afroballers) March 3, 2025
Calm and collected 👏🥶
pic.twitter.com/KzBPTteyKQ
Fans Compare It to John Mensah’s 2010 Penalty
Ghanaian fans wasted no time in drawing comparisons between Ouattara’s confident strike and John Mensah’s crucial penalty against Uruguay in 2010.
The former Ghana captain used a similar technique, stepping up with minimal movement before taking his shot.
However, unlike Ouattara, Mensah’s attempt was saved, adding to Ghana’s heartbreak in that fateful quarter-final.
Although Uruguay also missed their next penalty, Ghana’s hopes of making history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals faded when Dominic Adiyiah’s effort was saved, followed by Sebastián Abreu’s infamous Panenka to seal the win for Uruguay.
A Painful But Unforgettable Memory
Even though it’s been over a decade, Ghanaian football fans still haven’t forgotten that night. And thanks to Ouattara’s composed finish, John Mensah’s name is once again making waves—this time for a bittersweet reason.
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