Would Ghana’s Black Stars have gone further at the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament had striker Asamoah Gyan played more?
The player himself certainly thinks so.
Gyan believes that he was unable to make a significant impact for the Black Stars due to his limited gametime at the AFCON.
Despite being the nation’s all-time leading scorer, the player was used sparingly, featuring just twice from the bench against Cameroon and Tunisia.
“I think I could have made a difference if I had played more but that’s the coach’s decision,” he he told Accra-based station, Joy FM
Gyan did not play in the Black Stars group opener against Benin but came off the bench in the 76th minute against Cameroon in the next game.
He then remained on the bench for the game against Guinea Bissau, a match the Stars won 2-0.
Against Tunisia, Gyan came on in the 84th minute, with Ghana down by a goal and played a role in the own goal scored by the North Africans.
He then played the full duration of extra time but did not take a penalty in the shootout as Ghana went out.
Gyan was particularly peeved by being left on the bench for the Black Stars’ match with Guinea-Bissau even when the Stars were 2-0 up.
The player believes that he wasn’t in head coach, Kwesi Appiah’s plans for the AFCON which might have accounted for the lack of minutes.
“I feel I wasn’t in Kwesi Appiah’s plans for the AFCON. With my 17 years of experience, I could tell.
“If I’m not a starter, I accept it, that’s the coach’s decision but at least…,” he said, tailing off at the end.