President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to include Black Stars’ General Captain, Asamoah Gyan in the team for the next AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
Gyan has not played for the Black Stars since the Nations Cup in 2019 but there have been calls for him to be handed an invite due to the national team’s struggles with goals.
The Legon Cities forward on Wednesday made known his desire to return to the team, quashing talks that he has retired from international duty.
However, Kwabena Yeboah is of the view that Gyan will add some bite to CK Akonnor’s team despite his inactiveness and has urged the GFA to reserve a place for the veteran striker.
“I would want to urge to 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 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.”
The SWAG President continued to explain that Gyan is a distinguished personality and regarded greatly around the world, considering how much he has done compared to the many strikers the nation has produced.
“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 all together,” 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 his has done for this country and will forever respect him for what he has done.”
