The Confessions of Asamoah Gyan

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has admitted that he could barely close his eyes and sleep on the night before leading the Black Stars to a 2-0 win against Malawi. ''It was not fear or worry or anything bad but I was just anxious and a little nervous that's all''.

In a revealing interview for the upcoming Sports Journal series on TV3, the former Udinese and Sunderland striker confessed that he has accepted his fate as an ''unpredictable'' player. ''I give everything to God and whatever happens I have come to accept it''

From villain to hero, Gyan is rarely far away from incident and arresting headlines but he has no regrets - only useful lessons. ‘’I almost quit the national team in 2008 because of a few fans but you saw how the fans clapped and supported us today''

Gyan's management team led by ''King Sammy'' also seem to have cracked the secret code for branding their prize asset with recent media and branding deals. But perhaps what will be the sweetest music to Ghanaians is the player's firm belief that his finest moments in the game are ahead of him. With his trademark grin and wide eyed expression, Gyan has declared that his best form for the national team is yet to come.

And who are we to doubt him? In 2003 the Al Ain forward was still in his teens when he was given his international debut by then Black Stars coach Ralf Zumdick. The player did not fluff his lines as he scored in the 90th minute of that game against Somalia.

It could be that football fans did not see it coming; his colorful and sometimes chequered career so far, would make an interesting script for movie directors. After all, he was the youngest ever player to score for the Black Stars and followed with a string of match winning performances.

'' That is me, I do not plan to go out there and score spectacular goals or miss chances or penalties. I want to be the best and just do what I have to do''. That statement may sound cliché but it is true that he scored four times in seven matches during the Black Stars maiden successful World Cup qualifying campaign in 2005/06.

If you want controversy call Asamoah Gyan; Scoring from the penalty spot, having the goal disallowed, getting a yellow card and then missing the subsequent re-take? That was at Germany 2006 against the Czech Republic.

If you want spine tingling magic, call Asamoah Gyan; The same player scored the fastest goal in that crazy World Cup in Germany against the unbeaten Europeans at the time.

And talk of despair and you would not need to go far; just call Gyan as he hit the crossbar at South Africa 2010.

With Gyan, having his cake and eating it is not impossible. Whether it is scoring on his debut as he did for Sunderland with a volley and a jig or smashing an extra time winner against USA, the player has pleaded with fans to take him as he is.

That may not be asking too much because the check-list of good is far lengthier than bad and he smiles more than he broods.

As captain of the Black Stars, the player insists he is only a caretaker of the heavy arm band that has been worn by other great ''A''s before him; his coach Akwasi Appiah, Abedi Pele, CK Akunnor, and Stephen Appiah to reference but a few.

''I love life, people and I promise to do my best for the team and my country but it will not be easy that is why I always ask for support and prayers''

In his first press conference as captain, we saw the other side of Gyan when he cleared his throat before asking Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi to jokingly give him a glass of water. Nyantakyi was quick to play his role saying ''...quick, give him water to drink, he will need it''

For now, his music and dancing career has been put on hold as he also says the Boxing promotion syndicate he runs is also in transit.

Like I said, it is only one match but better a good, cautious start than nothing at all. Who knows, after all that Gyan claims he has been through in his career and in his private life, he could be the man to lead the new look Black Stars to silverware and gold.