Sports
Time for Gyan to bow out?
Sometimes, one gets the sense that the entire nation is just patiently waiting for the day Ghana’s legend Asamoah Gyan will bid a final adieu to football – and then get the tumultuous celebration that he so much deserves.
Indeed, Ghanaians have been waiting for that day, but it seems that moment would not come anytime soon – maybe.
From all indications, the ‘Baby Jet’ would have loved to entertain the world once more with the dexterity and skill that glorified his heyday: pace, power, control and finishing.
But that magnificent dream has been hampered by injuries to one of the nation’s most gifted players ever to trade his talent on the lush fields across the world.
It is the reason Gyan has not been able to glow with Legon Cities, a local premier league club he joined worth more than US$1million.
The lucrative deal – struck in November 2020, runs for four years and is by far a towering record in Ghana’s local league scene.
The Baby Jet zoomed into the domestic premiership for the first time in 17 years when he played for now-struggling Liberty Professionals.
Glaringly, many fans have been expecting a lot from the 35-year-old since strapping his mast to the Cities. Worryingly, it appears it is the case of the ‘soul is willing, but the body is weak’ for Gyan.
If you accost the fans in the street, they would waste no time in telling you to advise the former Black Stars’ skipper to hang his boots.
They think he has seen his best and has nothing much to offer.
“For me, Asamoah Gyan is a phenomenal player who has done so much for Ghana. But I think it’s high time he called time on football and rather take on a coaching job,” a 43-year-old football fanatic, who identified himself as Samuel Boadu, told this writer last week.
Boadu, perhaps, may have captured the minds of many.
It is not too clear whether it was one of the reasons Gyan was booed by a section of the Asante Kotoko fans when he came on as a second half substitute in the Cities 0-1 loss at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday night.
But Gyan did not take kindly to that antipathetic reaction, and in a post match interview, he reminded the fans about who “Gyan is.”
“There is only one Asamoah Gyan and they (fans) know it. They should even be grateful that I am playing in the Ghana Premier League,” Gyan, who has also been heavily criticised for putting on weight, said in response to the booing incident.
Of course, the Kotoko fan reaction could have emanated from a blazing disappointment over Gyan’s failure to sign for the club last year.
Gyan, a childhood fan of Kotoko, said he did not join Cities for monetary reasons.
“It is not about money. As a footballer, when you are going to a team, there is a lot that should favour you like environment. When it comes to money I’m blessed. I think Legon Cities have got a better project. They have got a lot of things to do in the future and I had to evaluate all.”
Maybe, after evaluating his present contribution to Cities (having played in only five matches or so), Gyan could sincerely be contemplating retiring from the sport that has given him global fame.
He has been a terrific player who has given absolutely all for Ghana.
Do not forget, the Baby Jet is Ghana’s record goal-poacher with 51 in 105 appearances and Africa’s leading World Cup scorer with six goals – three of which came at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
In spite of his missed penalty against Uruguay that would have earned Africa a first-ever semifinal berth at the World Cup, Gyan will be remembered for the good he did rather than the odd negative moment – if he finally decides to bid adieu to football.
Indeed, hundreds have forgotten that bewitching equaliser he scored against England in that earth-shattering London friendly against Ghana that ended 1-1 at the Wembley on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.
Just when England looked to have secured a good victory through Andy Carroll, Gyan spectacularly pulled the dagger in the dying moments of the game – one of the most fascinating goals in living memory.
With a fleet of foot, Gyan dragged Joe Lescott out of position, turned and dribbled back into the space before sexily curling a shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart. It was a goal of class – that can only be manufactured by a legend!
A big legend, he is. But maybe, time to bow out! And, he would be massively celebrated!
CAPTION:
Gyan – Paid his dues to the game
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
