Gyan – Eyeing a return to the Black Stars

Asamoah Gyan is a house-hold name in Ghana, and for many years – even decades to come, he would remain so.

If for nothing at all, he is the nation’s top-most goal poacher (51) for the Black Stars and Africa’s highest scorer at the global stage (World Cup) with six goals. Indeed, he is celebrated worldwide by football’s disciples.

Indeed, many Ghanaians have been waiting patiently for the former Liberty Professionals, Udinese, Rennes, Sunderland and Al Ain striker to broadcast his retirement from the sport that gave him so much fame. But that mega-announcement never game. Instead, Gyan – perhaps, stunned the world last week when he declared his intention to do his last hurrah at the Qatar 2022 World Cup in November with the Black Stars.

According to the enigmatic Gyan, he had begun a strenuous training regime that should put him in grand shape for possible selection into the Stars’ squad. But that decision had been met with mixed feeling from the public – majority of whom were in opposition to Gyan’s return as they cited various reasons including raucous events that led to Ghana’s first round exit at the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil.

One of the people to bark against Gyan’s intended plans for Qatar is the former Minister of Youth and Sports under whose administration the Black Stars’ camp in Brazil caught fire, culminating in his sack by then President John Mahama. 

“Asamoah Gyan was the Black Stars’ captain and told me that they can’t concentrate because the money issues have become a distraction and until they get their money, they can’t concentrate. The money issue was the main factor we encountered in Brazil,” Mr Afriyie Ankrah stormed.

Indeed, the players had held the nation to ransom at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, demanded their appearance fee be paid without which they were not going to train ahead of the last group game against Portugal. . They held on to their threat.

Also to kick against Gyan’s manoeuvres is owner and bankroller of King Faisal, Alhaji Karim Grusah.

“Personally, I don’t support his decision to play for the Black Stars at the World Cup. He should rather join the team as an ambassador or advisor,” he told the media.

However, the 36-year-old Gyan – known popularly as Baby Jet, is drawing strength from the exploits of Cameroonian legend Roger Milla – whose heroics at the 1990 World Cup, where he scored four goals for his country, is still etched on the minds of thousands across the world.

Unlike Gyan, Milla was very active before being drafted into the Cameroon national team – the Indomitable Lions. He had been active in the Réunion Islands, playing for St Pierre FC.

This was shortly after he had announced his retirement from international football, having inspired Cameroon to win the 1988 Nations Cup.

Obviously, the same cannot be said about Gyan who has not kicked a ball in a long while.

In November 2020, the Ghanaian legend returned to his home country’s domestic league for the first time since 2003, signing a deal with Legon Cities which was reportedly worth more than $1million.

Many had tipped him to spray the league with goals, but alas, that was not to be. His weight had depleted his sharpness in front of goal.

No wonder, he played six matches in all with no goals, nor assists. Put together, Gyan played 103 minutes in all, 79 minutes in the league and the rest, an FA Cup game against Uncle T United.

His first game was against Dreams FC at Dawu, on December 5, 2020 where he made a second half appearance; played eight minutes and also featured against them in the second round.

Gyan played two matches against Asante Kotoko for combined minutes of 47. Again, against WAFA in Legon Cities’ shirt, he lasted one minute on Matchday 25. That is not looking good for a player who wants to work his way back.

Anyway, the betPawa Ghana Premier League starts next month. Let us see what he brings on; that is if he gets hooked to a club. Perhaps, too, it would have been more honourable taking a bow now.

PlainTalk with John Vigah