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
THE Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters another exciting weekend with Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC set for a crucial showdown while Accra Hearts of Oak seek to strengthen their title challenge and FC AshantiGold 04 begin life after the departure of Coach Abdul Karim Zito.
The Matchday 9 fixtures, scheduled for today and tomorrow, promise another round of compelling contests as clubs battle for early season supremacy, continental ambitions and stability.
The headline fixture is the meeting between the Porcupine Warriors and the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium tomorrow where both sides will be eager to make a statement.
Kotoko will have the advantage of home support but the Tarkwa-based side are expected to provide a stern test for the Porcupine Warriors.
The Kumasi giants have endured an inconsistent opening to the campaign, with their recent results highlighting the need for greater consistency if they are to mount a serious title challenge.
Their 1-1 draw with FC AshantiGold 04 in the previous fixture underlined the difficulties they have faced in turning competitive performances into maximum points.
Against Medeama, the Reds must combine defensive discipline with greater attacking efficiency. Playing before their home supporters could provide the necessary lift, but they would need to avoid giving the visitors opportunities to exploit any defensive lapses.
Medeama, meanwhile, will travel to Kumasi determined to demonstrate why they are among the teams expected to challenge for the title.
For both clubs, victory would offer more than three points. It would provide an important psychological boost and strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive title race.
Hearts of Oak will also be among the teams attracting considerable attention as they travel to face Debibi United tomorrow.
The Phobians have made encouraging progress in recent weeks, with their defensive solidity and growing confidence giving supporters reasons to believe that a sustained title challenge is possible.
Their 1-0 victory over Basake Holy Stars, secured through Martin Karikari’s late strike, strengthened their position at the summit of the league after eight matches. The result also extended their winning run to three matches.
However, maintaining that momentum away from home will be another test of their credentials.
Debibi United will be determined to frustrate the visitors and use home advantage to their benefit.
Hearts must, therefore, approach the encounter with patience and discipline, particularly if their opponents adopt a compact defensive approach.
With the standings still capable of changing significantly at this early stage, maximum points could help Hearts consolidate their position at the top or reclaim it, depending on the results of their closest challengers.
Another major talking point is the decision by FC AshantiGold 04 to part ways with Head Coach and Technical Director, Abdul Karim Zito, Assistant Coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer, Robert Dabo.
The development comes as AshantiGold prepare to visit Swedru All Blacks tomorrow, presenting an immediate test for the club’s caretaker technical team.
The question is whether the coaching changes will produce the desired reaction or further unsettle a side still searching for consistency.
Swedru All Blacks, who will enjoy home advantage, will be keen to capitalise on any disruption within the visitors’ camp.
Elsewhere, Aduana FC would host Berekum Chelsea in a potentially tight contest, while Basake Holy Stars welcome Dreams FC.
Heart of Lions will face Bechem United, and Samartex take on Bibiani Gold Stars in another intriguing fixture. Vision FC will meet Port City today, while Young Apostles host Karela United tomorrow.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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THE 24th edition of the Accra Seniors Tennis Open Championship, organised by the Accra Lawn Tennis Club, is scheduled to take place from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, December 5, 2026, organisers have announced.
Consequently, registration for the tournament has opened, offering professional and amateur players an opportunity to participate in the competition that assembles the best of the aged in the tennis fraternity.
Registration will close on Friday, November 20, 2026, with the draw and viewing for the competition scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026, respectively.
Entry fees have been pegged at GH¢150 for the singles event and GH¢200 for the doubles event.
Matches will be played on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The competition will feature various categories, including ladies’ singles, men’s singles, ladies’ doubles, men’s doubles, advanced social singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
In the ladies’ singles event, players will compete in different age categories, including those aged up to 39 years.
The men’s singles event will feature players in the 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 age categories.
For the ladies’ doubles event, participants will compete in the under-40 and 40-and-above categories, while the men’s doubles event will feature players aged 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–69 and 70 years and above.
The advanced social singles and doubles categories, for both men and women, are designed for high-level amateur players seeking competitive matches outside the demands of professional and semi-professional circuits.
The mixed doubles event will also provide an opportunity for players to compete in combined male and female pairings.
The tournament is expected to attract players of different ages and skill levels, with spectators anticipated to witness exciting displays of skill, technique and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
By Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
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