Asamoah Gyan is the new captain of the Black Stars

By Patrick Akoto

Sensational striker Asamoah Gyan has officially welcomed the decision to appoint him as the permanent captain of the Ghana senior national team.

Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah settled on the Al Ain attacker as the new man to lead the team for his work ethics, commitments and leadership qualities.

He takes over the armband from experienced defender John Mensah, who has been elevated to the role of a General captain.

In a statement issued by the former Sunderland man on Tuesday morning, he expressed his profound gratitude for the honour done him and pledged his commitment to use his new role to spearhead the country’s challenge for honours in future international tournaments.

“With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept the decision to appoint me as the permanent captain of the Black Stars,” Gyan said.

“It’s been a wonderfully rewarding experience of playing for my country let alone being given the great honour of serving as the captain of the Black Stars.

“Playing for Ghana has provided me with a platform to share my passion for my country with millions in a way I neither expected nor could have imagined in my career.

“Therefore, I am truly grateful to the people of Ghana, my Black Stars team-mates, coach Kwesi Appiah and the Ghana Football Association for giving me the chance to serve as the captain of our national team.

“I want to thank Coach Appiah again, for the most superb work of organizing and bringing us all together in the fantastic setting of the Black Stars in the atmosphere of unity and brotherhood.

“Although I’m recognized with this tremendous honour of the captain of the Black Stars- I don’t look at this moment as just to lead but once again to serve my country together with my colleagues and build on what the previous generations have achieved for our country.”

Gyan also paid glowing tribute to John Mensah and legendary Stephen Appiah for playing various roles in shaping his career.

“My immediate predecessors – the outstanding John Mensah and the legend Stephen Appiah – played vital roles in making the Black Stars what it is today and they will forever be etched on the soul of Ghana football.

“I thank them tremendously for the guidance they have given me over the years and I will continuously count on them for direction as we all seek to make the Black Stars better.

“John Mensah and all the senior players in the team have supported the decision to make me the permanent captain and they all know I will be counting on them. I am grateful to all of them.

“I can’t thank all my other Black Stars colleagues enough for allowing this to happen. I’m going to work as hard as I can, hand-in-hand with them, for some breakthroughs for our country.

The optimism and the desire to achieve our country’s goals through hard-work, respect for each other, perseverance and positive attitude is still alive.

His leadership qualities will be required to spearhead the country to end a 31-year wait for an African crown in next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.