Sports News of Thursday, 23 May 2019

Source: classfmonline.com

Asamoah Gyan saga: Akufo-Addo intervention good – NDC MP

Asamoah Gyan Asamoah Gyan

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s intervention in the Asamoah Gyan saga is good, Mr Komla Mensah Woyome, opposition MP for South Tongu and the Ranking Member of the Youth and Sports Committee in Parliament, has said.

The lawmaker, however, said the coach of the senior national team, Kwesi Appiah, should be given the space to work since he will render account to the people of Ghana.

Mr Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, 21 May 2019 urged Asamoah Gyan to rescind his decision to retire from the Black Stars and make himself available for selection for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the appeal to the striker on Tuesday evening (21 May 2019) in a telephone conversation just a day after Gyan announced his retirement from the national team over a captainship row.

Gyan accused Kwesi Appiah of denying him the opportunity of captaining the Black Stars in the competition.

Nana Akufo-Addo informed Asamoah Gyan “of the considerable national disquiet over his decision to retire from the Black Stars,” a statement from Mr Eugene Arhin, the president’s spokesperson said.

Speaking to Kwabena Prah Jnr (The Don) on the Ghana Yensom show on Accra 100.5FM on Wednesday, 22 May, Mr Woyome said: “What he has done is not bad at all because in times like this, you need somebody of his stature to intervene.

“But my issue is that we should not impose things on him. Kwesi is on top of his game and, so, let him do his work.

“You have hired him to work; if he fails, we will come after him. He has a professional understanding of the job, that is why he is acting as such. We believe he will take the right decisions to make sure that we will get there and perform. Let us allow him to perform.”

Meanwhile, Gyan has reversed his decision to quit the Black Stars just a day after he announced his retirement from international football.

Gyan’s U-turn follows calls on him by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, 21 May 2019 to reconsider his decision.

In a statement following his conversation with the president, Gyan said: “I’ve taken the request of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in good faith and will make myself available for selection by Coach Kwesi Appiah”.