President Nana Addo has asked former national team captain, Asamoah Gyan, to rescind his decision to retire from international football.
Nana Addo gave this directive when he spoke to the iconic striker on Tuesday evening just a day after Gyan quit the national team in anger.
Gyan retired on Monday, sparking a huge national debate.
Gyan said his decision was taken as a way to protest a plan by coach Kwesi Appiah to deny him the opportunity of captaining the Black Stars in next month’s Africa Nations Cup in Egypt.
But Pesident Nana Addo, who is keen on helping the Black Stars win the title, spoke to the Turkey-based player and urged him to reconsider his decision.
The President subsequently spoke on the telephone with Asamoah Gyan and informed him to return the Black Stars.
“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 Kwasi Appiah,” a statement from the Presidency said.
Gyan announced his retirement ahead of the Africa Nations Cup which kicks off on June 21.
After his conversation with the President of the country, Gyan tweeted to his 600,000 plus followers:
“Later today, my manager @AnimSammy will be speaking on my behalf regarding my retirement from the national team. I will also release a statement based on the telephone discussion with the president @NAkufoAddo”
Later today, my manager @AnimSammy will be speaking on my behalf regarding my retirement from the national team. I will also release a statement based on the telephone discussion with the president @NAkufoAddo
— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) May 22, 2019
The Black Stars are in Group F with Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
Gyan made his international debut at the age of 17 against Somalia in 2003.
He is Ghana’s all-time goal scorer in the national team with 51 goals in his 106 appearances.
He has also featured in three World Cups — 2006, 2010 and 2014.
By: Emmanuel Asante
