Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah believes captain Asamoah Gyan is peerless and has described him as the best striker in the country.

Appiah has jumped to the defence of the Al Ain marksman following his recent slump in form for the Black Stars.

It took Gyan three matches to register his first goal at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

But Appiah explained that the 27-year-old's contributions to the team is what excites him and not the number of goals scored.

"Asamoah Gyan is my captain and for me all the games he has been playing I am really satisfied with him," Appiah said.

"Sometimes you look at the game and it is not about the player himself. Sometimes how he assists, how he draws people out and attract opponents so he creates opportunities for others.

"It is not every day that a player may have his day but the most important thing is that a player may have some qualities that other players don’t have so.

"In that aspect you keep him in the team for other players to work around him.

"Saying that, I personally believe in our country now, he is the best striker we have at the moment and yesterday for me he did well but I still believe he can do better than he did."

Gyan is expected to lead Ghana into the last four when they face Cape Verde on Saturday in the semi-final.