Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan is targeting a return to Black Stars for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gyan’s last appearance for the Black Stars was in 2019 and he last played a competitive game in May 2021 when he featured for Legon Cities against WAFA in the Ghana Premier League.
Months later, he terminated his contract with the Accra-based club.
But in an interview with BBC, Gyan dispelled claims of retirement, suggesting he has unfinished business, especially with Black Stars.
“Anything can happen. You know it’s happened before. I’m talking about Cameroon in 1994 with Roger Milla you know coming back from retirement to play in the World Cup. I haven’t retired yet. I haven’t announced my retirement. You know I’ve been out for almost two years now due to injuries, due to my body.
“I just need to get my body back in shape. So I’ve started training of course so I need to get back in shape and see how my body reacts to playing competitive football. Talent-wise, I reckon it’s there already so I just have to prepare physically and then we’ll see what happens.”
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“Honestly, I haven’t spoken to anybody at all. It’s part of the plan. I just want to make sure and see how my body reacts first. Me and my manager, we’ve been talking behind the scenes, you know and everything so we just have to make sure, we know what we are doing. Everything is in progress, and everything looks positive. We’ll see what happens. There might be a surprise.”
Gyan is Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals, including six in the World Cup, making him the continent’s leading scorer in the competition.
Recall in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with score tied at 1-1 in extra-time, Gyan missed a stoppage time penalty against Uruguay with the South Americans going on to win via penalties.
The Black Stars are in the same group with Uruguay, Portugal and South Korea at this year’s edition.
13 Comments
Not advisable!Tge one thing African footballers never realize is when to quit.
Just imagine, oga abeg go rest. Leave stage for young and more energetic ones to take. If Qatar dey hungry you, use your own money and pay for your trip
The guy is selfish. He said he retired and stopped getting call ups, now he wants to play since Ghana qualified for world cup. He was never in it. Same thing with Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams and possibly Hudson Odio. They never helped the team qualify, but now want to switch allegiance to play in the world cup. Watch after that they dont want to be on the team no more.
He should be picked to represent them.They don’t have strikers to score, they got a silly goal here in Nigeria due to our goal keepers gift to them. They are coming back first round.
He has been broken financially. He can hardly pay his bills after he squandered his fortunes he acquired in Saudi Arabie.
U lying man!! Gyan is one of the richest footballers in Africa and in fact gyan was a smart investor and he invested his monies wisely! Dude is one of the richest footballers alive!! Go figure
You be real Edo man…. Na Qatar camp allowance go come make am rich?…. I dey lough o. If Ghana wants him, why not?
He wants to score the penalty against Uruguay..at all cost
such a stupid statement when you do not know the financial status of Gyan. Even if he plays for just 20 minutes he will have more impact than jordan Ayuw. the guy is a legend already.
My brother, Gyan get money o. On the contrary, he’s a highly prudent person – doesn’t lavish money carelessly. I know this for a fact because I live here.
Its just too tempting to stay out of a world Cup squad. I can understand Gyan’s ambition. But if I can advise him, its best to stay away from the spotlight after been away for such a long time. Let the young ones continue, you have enjoyed your time.
His presence can cause a lot of dressing room distractions.
He is going to distrupt the dressing room. What the hell is wrong with African people? Selfish and self centred.
Ghana clearly lack a proven goalscorer. Afena-Gyan is a rookie while Jorden Ayew isn’t reliable in front of goal. Asamoah Gyan looks overweight but if he can get himself in shape, I see no reason why he shouldn’t make it Qatar.