Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan has shared a significant moment from his career in 2008 when he decided to represent Ghana in the African Cup of Nations rather than accepting a contract offer from Manchester City in the English Premier League.
At the age of 23, Gyan faced a pivotal choice between recovering from an injury to play for Ghana in the AFCON tournament or signing with Manchester City.
Reflecting on his decision, Gyan expressed his determination to participate in the 2008 AFCON as it marked his debut in the prestigious tournament.
“I had a little injury before CAN 2008, but it I wanted to play because it was my first AFCON. The Manchester City Contract was waiting for me and my Manager advised I recover and sign the contract but I rejected”, Asamoah Gyan said on Happy FM’s Happy Sports with Ohene Bampoe Brenya.
His commitment to the national team paid off as he contributed to Ghana’s success, helping them secure a third-place finish and scoring a goal during the tournament held in his home country.
Gyan’s loyalty to Ghana extends beyond this tournament, as he has been a key figure in the national team since his debut in 2003 at the age of 17. With over 100 appearances and 51 goals for the Black Stars, Gyan holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in Ghana’s history.
Furthermore, Gyan’s prowess on the world stage is evident through his impressive performance at the FIFA World Cup, where he holds the title of Africa’s highest goalscorer with six goals.
Having participated in three World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, and 2014), Gyan showcased his scoring ability by finding the back of the net in each edition, solidifying his legacy as a prolific striker for both club and country.