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Asamoah Gyan to quit Black Stars after 2019 AFCON

“He [Asamoah Gyan] told me he wanted to qualify the team to the World Cup but now that appears difficult, he wants to qualify to the 2019 AFCON and then he will quit” – Coach JE Sarpong.

According to the veteran coach, he advised Gyan to draw the curtain down on his international career, but the Kayserispor striker refused, explaining that he wanted to lead Ghana to the next AFCON before retiring.

Gyan became the subject of criticism from a section of Ghanaians following Ghana’s poor showing in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Congo Brazzaville, with some suggesting the striker is no longer as efficient as he used to be.

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Despite emerging as Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals, the 31-year-old has seen his commitment to the national team consistently questioned, with the latest coming after the Congo game.

However, in a rather bold statement, JE Sarpong who coached Gyan during his high school days has revealed that the striker will retire from national team duty after the 2019 AFCON.

“I spoke personally to Asamoah Gyan in Kumasi and advised him to quit the national team," the veteran coach is quoted as saying by Ghanasoccernet.com.

“I have asked him to leave this team now. He has everything in football; money, houses, cars and name. Just leave this team now and save yourself.

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"But he told me he wanted to qualify the team (Black Stars) to the World Cup but now that appears difficult, he wants to qualify to the 2019 AFCON and then he will quit.”

He added that the Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, should also be considering retiring from the Black Stars, saying “the national team is not a monarchy”.

Gyan has been Ghana’s first-choice striker since breaking into the Black Stars in 2004. The 31-year-old has an impressive record at international level, boasting 51 goals in 105 appearances.

It however remains unknown if the Black Stars captain will retire from the national team after the next AFCON, as said by JE Sarpong.

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