Former Black Stars defender Sam Johnson has jumped to the defence of Asamoah Gyan insisting the Ahli striker will not be a failure if he fails to lead the Black Stars to clinch gold at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon.

Many have argued that despite his great performance as a striker and his qualities as a leader, Asamoah Gyan will be considered a failure if he fails to win the 2017 Afcon with the Black Stars.

But Sam Johnson says it is wrong for anyone to think like that since Gyan has achieved a lot with the Black Stars.

“That will be wrong. Many say Abedi was an excellent player and I agree. But because he could not win the Afcon they say he was a failure. I disagree,” Sam Johnson said.

“Those who say that about Abedi are saying the same thing about Asamoah Gyan and I think it is wrong.

“Gyan has done a lot for Ghana with the Black Stars as a captain and I think he is an achiever,” he added.

Gyan is the only Ghanaian player with goals at the last three FIFA World Cups and is currently the only African with the highest number of goals at the World Cup as well as scoring at every Afcon.

Gyan is currently the Ghanaian player with the highest number of appearances for the Black Stars with 98 games and 48 goals.