Ghanaian skipper Gyan reverses decision to quit Black Stars after getting presidential phone call

GHANA'S President Nana Akufo-Addo has had to intervene in the affairs of the national football team by making a personal phone call to skipper Asamoah Gyan asking him to reverse his decision to retire from the Black Stars.

Gyan, 33, the Ghanaian captain, had announced that he was retiring from international football and would not be available for this summer's African Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. He quit the national team on Monday apparently unhappy that the captaincy was taken away from him as he had not played for Ghana since September 2017 due to injury.

However, amid concern that the Black Stars would struggle in Egypt without their talisman, President Akufo-Addo decided to intervene. After a brief chat, Gyan decided to reverse his decision and has declared that he will now be available to feature in the Nations Cup which begins next month.

Fit-again Gyan, 33, added that he has accepted the presidential request in good faith and will make himself available for selection by coach Kwesi Appiah. Ghana last won the African nations Cup in 1982 and the country is desperate to lift the trophy at the next tournament taking place between June 21 and July 19 in Egypt.

Gyan said: "I remain committed to serving this great nation and the people of Ghana.

Presidential spokesperson, Eugene Arhin, added: “The president urged him, in the national interest, to rescind his decision to retire from the Black Stars and make himself available for selection by coach Kwesi Appiah.

Gyan has scored 51 goals in 106 international appearances, both Ghana national team records, including scoring at six consecutive Nations Cup finals, as well as three World Cups between 2006 and 2014. His six World Cup goals are the most by an African player.