Gyan relishing the challenges

Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan is convinced he will be ready for the tough assignment awaiting him in Ghana's qualifying campaign for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana are paired against Malawi in the final-round of qualifying for next year's finals in South Africa.

Four-time African champions, Ghana, will host the first leg match on Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium and the task of overcoming the Flames could be harder on two fronts for Gyan.

Apart from helping Ghana to qualify, the striker has to again warm himself into the hearts some critics.

Gyan, who ended his six-month break from international football two months ago is returning for his first match on home soil in a year and has welcomed the pressure that will greet his return to the national team.

“I appreciate that (pressure),” Gyan said. “It’s a teamwork, I work for the team, I make sure I do my job.”

However, the Al-Ain striker, whose last goal for Ghana at home came in 2011 in a 2-0 win over Swaziland in the qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, says he is ready to for the challenge.

“Football is played by 22 people and I have played for the Black Stars since 2003 and I have done my best for the team.

“I do appreciate what people are saying. It doesn’t put pressure on me. Talking about football, we got ups and downs.

“If you can go through all this things then you are ready to play at anytime, in front of the crowds and everybody.”