Former Hearts of Oak coach, Mohammed Polo says Black Stars needs the experience of Asamoah Gyan ahead of the 2022 World Cup but must prove he merits a place in the team.
The 37-year-old speaking to the BBC in an interview last week confirmed his intention to return to the national team ahead of the global showpiece.
Gyan’s intention has attracted a lot of criticism after staying two years without a club.
The former Liberty Professionals last played for the Black Stars in 2019 during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Egypt.
With Andre Ayew, Daniel Amartey, and Thomas Partey with the inclusion of Inaki Williams upfront, Polo believes Gyan’s experience is still needed at the national team ahead of the Mundial but added that he must justify he merits to earn a call-up.
“He (Asamoah Gyan) has the experience which is lacking in the Black Stars team and as we venture into such a high profile international competition, Ghana needs experienced players of his calibre,” the 1978 AFCON winner told Graphic Sports.
“However, until he proves that he is worthy to be selected into the Black Stars, he may find it difficult to merit selection into the squad.
“Selection into the Black Stars should be based on performance and not names, so if Gyan wants to be part of the final selection then he needs to work extra hard with some special coaching to win the confidence of the Black Stars technical team,” Polo added.
Gyan remains the country’s all-time top goalscorer with 51 goals. He played in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cup in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil respectively.
Ghana have been paired against Portugal, South Korea, and bitter rivals, Uruguay, in Group H.
The Stars will open the tournament with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on November 24, and encounter South Korea on November 28, before facing Louis Suarez’s Uruguay on December 2.
Source: Modern Ghana
