Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan says the Black Stars must move on from the ‘hurtful’ departure of coach Kwesi Appiah.

The 54-year-old was fired by the Ghana FA hours after leading the side to a vital win over Togo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played last month.

The decision by the GFA brought to an end the six-year relationship of Kwesi Appiah – first as an assistant and eventually as the head coach – with the Black Stars.

The decision to sack Appiah was even more shocking especially after the ex Ghana captain was endorsed by his employers to continue his work following Ghana’s disastrous campaign at the 2014 World Cup.

Gyan reveals most of the players – especially ones handed their debut international call up under Appiah – were shocked and hurt by the decision but says the team must move on.

“Coach Akwesi Appiah is a very good coach who had worked with us for a very long time,” Gyan said.

“His departure departure shocked most of the players but that is football for you.

“There is no coach that will handle a team for the rest of his career or for the rest of his lifetime. “All we can do now is to move on although it was a sad moment for most of the players.

“If you look at the team now, most of the players were handed their first call up by coach Kwesi Appiah so definitely they will be hurt.

“But being professionals, we know how the game goes so we have to just move on and do our best for Ghana. He is a great man.”