I deserve better – Asamoah Gyan cries

Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan, says his determination to contribute in various capacities to aid in national development is on that merits commendation rather than rebuking him.

Gyan, who has been arguably one of Ghana’s most criticised national team captain, claims attempts to demonise him for failing to end the commotion that led to Ghana’s failure to progress in the 2014 FIFA World Cup is an affront to his dedication, loyalty and devotion to the state.

A Commission of Enquiry led by Justice Senyoh Dzamefe set up to investigate the cause of Ghana’s failure to excel on their third World Cup appearance blamed Asamoah Gyan’s lack of leadership qualities to manage and control the players as a major recipe in Ghana’s abysmal performance.

With pressure fast mounting on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to implement the Commission of Enquiry report that counselled Asamoah Gyan to undergo leadership training courses to help him manage such occurrences in the future, Asamoah Gyan trusts he deserves more commendation rather than what the commission advised.

Gyan, who seemed emboldened by the president’s total disregard for the Commission, has rubbished the call on him to enroll in a leadership school, saying he was already “doing a lot in the economy.”

“The Commission wasn’t fair to me at all. I have done my best for Ghana by creating jobs in the country,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Hot FM

“In Ghana I have employed 300 people and I pay them every month, I also pay taxes. So I’m doing my best in Ghana’s economy. I haven’t been to a leadership school but i have been doing a lot in the economy.”

“When I moved from England to UAE, people said I moved because of money, when i moved to China they said the same thing. I will say the money I got is what I’m investing in the country; I have created jobs in the nation. For me the Commission has not been fair to me.”

Asamoah Gyan has also hit back strongly at former international teammate Prince Tagoe for questioning the decision to make him captain of the Black Stars. According to Gyan, who has been the leader of the senior national team for the past six years, his former playing mate, Tagoe, is seeking cheap fame by ”Tarnishing his image”.

Tagoe, last week, expressed his displeasure with the decision to make the Kayserispor man the successor of Stephen Appiah. He argued that there were, and still, are players more fitting to be handed the big role in the team rather than Gyan.

“I feel things should have been done accordingly, If we should be honest to ourselves as Ghanaians, we would realise there was a mistake somewhere because if Stephen Appiah was not around and Michael Essien had not retired, who should have been captain? Tagoe told SV TV.

“Even if Essien had retired, Sulley Muntari was also a senior player and could have become captain of the team.”

But this has not gone down too well with Gyan, who has clapped back, insisting Tagoe, who has not been without a club since 2014, wants to ride on his name for fame.

“What I can say is that everybody has his or her opinion. Even when a president is elected, someone will still argue that he doesn’t deserve to be the President,” Gyan told Hot FM.

“Others will also oppose to that comment and say he deserved it. Prince Tagoe is also saying his mind but I was expecting him to say it when he was in camp with us. We played together so he had the best of opportunities to express his grievances.”

“When people want to become famous, they often try to use my name. The captain was given to me six years ago so why now? These people are only tarnishing my image because they know they can get the fame they are craving for after this.

“I worked really hard to earn the fame that I’m enjoying. Prince Tagoe and Nana Aba Anamoah are only using my name for fame,” he added.
There is currently a divided opinion about who should wield the armband. West Ham United ace Ayew, who has never hidden his desire to succeed Gyan, holds a good share of support to take over the role.

Gyan mentions Nana Aba Anamoah because the TV personality has never hidden her opinion that the Black Stars will be better under the leadership of Andre. Gyan, meanwhile, has announced intentions to quit international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gyan is Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer with 51 goals from 105 appearances. Outside football, Asamoah Gyan turned his attention towards boxing promotions and is currently the in charge of Baby Jet Promotions.