Gyan’s mental toughness earned him Sunderland contract

Former Black Stars psychologist Dr. Patrick Ofori has revealed Asamoah Gyan’s mental toughness earned him a contract at English Club Sunderland.

Gyan became Sunderland’s record signing in 2010 when he joined the Black Cats in a £13 million deal from French Club Stade Rennes.

The Black Stars captain made the move after his exploit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup where he scored three goals to help the Black Stars reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup but for a penalty miss to deny the team a semi-final place.

Speaking on Kwese Sports, Dr Patrick Ofori who was then the Black Stars psychologist reveals Gyan’s decision to take the penalty shootout after missing from the spot in regulation time against Uruguay prompted then Sunderland manager Steve Bruce to sign him to the English Club.

“I sat and had a conversation with Steve Bruce, the former Sunderland manager who told me he signed Gyan because of his mental toughness.

“That decision he took to take the first penalty shootout just few minutes after missing the crucial kick against Uruguay was a huge one and according to Bruce it takes players who a mentally tough to do that.

The striker has since rose to the occasion for the Black Stars and remains Ghana’s reliable goal scorer at age 31.

He is Ghana's all-time top scorer with 49 goals a record which was previously held by ex-Ghana international Abedi Pele.