Soccer News of Monday, 30 January 2012

Source: Prince Dornu-Leiku

Asamoah Gyan not thinking of final yet

*Black Stars’ top striker Asamoah Gyan insists it’s too early to start talking about playing in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. *

Gyan scored his first goal of the tournament – a superbly struck freekick – to open the scores and power Ghana to a 2-0 victory over fellow West Africans Mali last Saturday to maintain top spot in Group D on maximum points.

Now the Black Stars need just to avoid defeat in the last group game against Guinea on Wednesday to progress to the quarter finals and within just two wins from the final.

But the Al Ain striker is refusing to be drawn into any talks about the latter stages of the tournament, instead focusing on the hard fought win against Mali and the next game with Guinea.

“It was a very difficult game especially in the first half but we showed a lot of courage and scored good goals in the second half to win,” Gyan said in a post-match interview.

He added: “It’s too early to talk about the final. Let’s keep working hard and winning our matches and we shall see about getting to the final.”

The 26 year old is also wary of the threat of West Africa rivals Guinea who have thus far exhibited arguably the best football in the tournament capping it off with a 6-1 hammering of Botswana last Saturday.

“They played a very beautiful game today and scored six goals. They will be a very difficult match for us because they must win. They’ve got the confidence and they will come out very strongly against us. We have to be very prepared,” Gyan stated.