Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer Asamoah Gyan announced his retirement from international football a month before the Africa Cup of Nations after learning that he was to be replaced as captain of the men’s national team.
“If the decision of the coach is to give captaincy of the tournament to another player while I am named in the team of the tournament, I wish to recuse myself from the tournament,” a statement from Gyan read in part.
“I also wish to retire from the national team permanently,” Gyan’s statement added.
Andre Ayew, who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe, is reportedly likely to captain the Black Stars.
Gyan also plays in Turkey for Kayserispor but has struggled to feature for the club.
Ghana are in Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations along with reigning champions Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
Gyan, who made his international debut at the age of 17 in 2003, has scored 51 goals in 106 games for his country.
Gyan also played for Ghana at three World Cups: in Germany in 2006, in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil in 2014.
