The President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure the inclusion of former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan, in Ghana’s team for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament to be staged in Cameroon.
Gyan last played for the Black Stars during the Nations Cup in 2019 under the tutelage of Akwesi Appiah. The former Sunderland striker has been battling with consistent and persistent injury since then.
Due to lack of quality in the attacking department of the Black Stars, many have been advocating for his return to the national team.
For Gyan, he still feels that he has what it takes to return to the national team in an interview he granted last week, dismissing claims that he had retired from international duty.
However, Kwabena Yeboah believes Gyan has the enormous experience that will help the four-time Africa champions despite not being active, and has, therefore, urged the GFA to consider reserving a place for the veteran striker.
“I would want to urge the FA to make Asamoah Gyan a part of Ghana’s team for the Cup of Nations. If not to play he has a wealth of experience and has a lot of inspiration to give to the players. His presence alone can serve as great inspiration for the players so I want the FA to make him a part of team Ghana,” he said on the Joy Sports Link.
“His expression of a desire to play again for Ghana shows his level of passion and commitment to the national cause. I guess it’s the reason he gets maligned, castigated and lampooned for the least he does.”
“Considering that he is Ghana’s all-time top scorer and highest scoring African at the FIFA World Cup tells us that it is no easy achievement.”
“As to whether he is ready to don the national jersey again is another conversation altogether,” the SWAG. President added.
He also did acknowledge the fact that injuries ruled Gyan out most of the time for his side Legon Cities the last season in the Ghana Premier League.
“We do know that at the last Nation’s Cup in Egypt, the then coach of the side Kwesi Appiah brought him on as a substitute in one or two games and we saw what impact he made.”
“And whether he makes it to Cameroon or not, he should know that the people reserve a place of pride for what he has done for the nation. But as it is always said a prophet is not honoured in his own home.”
“Even if there are one or two negative comments along the way, he should know that Ghanaians love and admire him for what he has done. Gyan has paid his dues to this country and we must respect him for that. We doff our hats to him and others for serving this nation diligently and consistently. What he has done for this country and will forever respect him for what he has done.”
Gyan is Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals in 106 appearances for the senior national team.
