After announcing his retirement from the Ghana national team, Asamoah Gyan was forced to overturn his decision by Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Gyan had resigned from the national team after he learnt that coach James Kwesi Appiah was to strip the armband from him and hand it to his junior Andre Ayew ahead of the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations. He will serve in the capacity of the ‘general captain.’
“A presidential request is one that cannot be disregarded,” Gyan said in a new statement published on Wednesday by the Asamoah Gyan Foundation.
“I have had the opportunity to speak with the father of the nation, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
“Who, though respecting my wishes as spelt in my letter of 20th May 2019 has asked me to rescind my decision to retire permanently from the Black Stars,” the statement read in bits.
Earlier, the Ghanaian president held a high-power meeting with the leadership of the Black Stars, including head coach Appiah, because of Gyan’s shocking decision to retire on Monday.
It was also alleged that Appiah had threated to step down if the decision to reinstall Gyan as the captain of the Black Stars was forced on him, a threat many didn’t know how they would deal with it.
“I have taken the request of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in good fate, and will make myself available for selection by coach James Kwesi Appiah.”
“My desire to help Ghana end the over three-decade-long wait to annex the AFCON trophy still burns strong and I remain committed to serving this great nation and the people of Ghana,” the statement continued.
Asamoah Gyan netted 51 goals from 106 international appearances making him the all-time record goal scorer for the Black Stars.
He is the first Ghanaian and African to score at seven consecutive Nations Cup finals, as well as three World Cups of 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Ghana are drawn in Group F against Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt between June 21st and July 19th.
Ghana squad
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa, Lawrence Ati- Zigi (Sochaux, Montbeliard, France), and Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Defenders: John Boye (Metz, France), Andy Yiadom (Reading, England, Abdul Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Lumor Agbenyenu (Goztepe A.S, Turkey), Kassim Nuhu, (Hoffenheim, Germany,) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC, USA), Joseph Aidoo (Genk, Belgium), Nuhu Musa (St Gallen, Switzerland), Joseph Attamah (Basaksehir, Turkey), and Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Midfielders: Mubarak Wakaso (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Kwadwo Asamoah (Internazionale, Italy), Ebenezer Ofori (New York FC, USA), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy), Andre Ayew ( Fenerbache, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England), Samuel Owusu (Cukaricki, Serbia), Thomas Agyepong (Hibernian, Scotland), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain), Abdul Fatawu (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Abdul Majeed Waris ( Nantes, France), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzonspor, Turkey and Kwabena Owusu (Leganes, Spain).
