Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan has ended anxiety in the national team ranks by rescinding his decision to retire from international football.
The Director of Communication at the Presidency Eugene Arhin confirmed that Gyan reversed his earlier decision to quit the squad after a lengthy chat with President Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday.
“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,”Arhin told reporters.
Consequently, Gyan will join the team in the United Arab Emirates where the Black Stars are expected to pitch camp ahead of two friendly games with South Africa and Namibia.
Gyan had quit after Kwesi Appiah’s decision to strip him of the captaincy ahead of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
But President Akufo 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.
President Akufo-Addo also met the Minister for Youth and Sports, the President of the GFA Normalisation Committee, and the Chair of the Management Committee of the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars.
Coach Appiah who was facing a ‘forward line conundrum’ ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations as the Gyan saga dragged on can now call on the player who leads the scoring charts for his nation, netting 51 goals since his international debut in 2003.
The Black Stars coach on Tuesday named a provisional 29-man squad, to commence preparation for the Total 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana are placed in Group F with Benin, Guinea Bissau and title holders, Cameroon.
Ghana will kick off their campaign against Benin at the Ismaily Stadium on June 25 before facing their West African neighbors, Cameroon, four days later at the same venue.
They will conclude their first-round games against Guinea-Bissau at the Suez Stadium on July 2.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United, South Africa) Razak Abalora (Azam United, Tanzania) Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana) Lawrence Atizigi (Sochaux, France)
Defenders: Afful Harrison (Columbus Crew, USA) Lumor Agbenyanu (Goztepe, Turkey), Musah Nuhu (FC St Fallen, Switzerland), Baba Rahman (Reims, France), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA) Andy Yiadom (Reading) Kasim Nuhu(TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Mohammed Alhassan (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), Joseph Aidoo (RC Genk, Belgium)
Midfielders: Mubarak Wakasu(Deportivo Slaves, Spain), Yaw Yeboah (Numancia, Spain) Ebenezer Ofori (New York City FC, USA) Samuel Owusu (Cukaricka, Serbia) Thomas Partey (Athletico Madrid, Spain), Thomas Agyapong (Hibernia, Scotland) Dede Ayew(Fenerbache, Turkey), Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, England) Abdul Fatawu Safiu (Asante Kotoko) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy)
Strikers: Kwabena Owusu (Salamanca CF, Spain) Jordan Ayew (Swansea City, England), Caleb Ekuban (Trabzanspor, Turkey) Majeed Waris (Nantes, France), Emmanuel Boateng(Dalian Yifang, China)
