Asamoah Gyan apologises and deletes tweet on 'nonsense' Ghana call-ups

The former Sunderland forward was not in a diplomatic mood when he expressed his views on the squad to face Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup playoffs.

Gyan slammed the technical handlers of the Black Stars over the omission of Majeed Ashimeru, whom he described as Ghana’s best midfielder after Thomas Partey.

Asamoah Gyan's tweet Pulse Ghana

“This guy @MajeedAshimeru is the best midfielder in Ghana, after @Thomaspartey22 PERIOD. I have kept quiet on this but this nonsense must stop. Smh,” he fumed on Twitter.

However, after stirring controversy with his statement, Gyan deleted the tweet and apologised for his wording.

He was, however, quick to add that he stands by his opinion that Ashimeru deserves to be in the squad to face Nigeria.

“I still insist that Ashimeru deserves to be in this current Black Stars BUT am sorry for using the word “ Nonsense “ in my statement so I unreservedly withdraw that word, I was carried by my emotions . Go Ghana,” he tweeted.

On Tuesday morning, Ghana’s interim coach Otto Addo named a 27-man squad for the two-legged tie against the Super Eagles.

The Black Stars squad to face Nigeria in the upcoming FIFA World Cup playoff game includes four players who have received their debut call-ups.

They are Club Brugge utility man Denis Odoi, KAA Gent midfielder Elisha Owusu, Hearts of Oak left-back Dennis Korsah and Ashdod FC defender Montari Kamaheni.

Highly-rated AS Roma teenager Felix Afena-Gyan, who turned down a call-up during the 2021 AFCON, has also returned for the two-legged tie against the Super Eagles.

The goalkeepers invited include Joojo Wollacott, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen and Richard Ofori, while the defenders are Andy Yiadom, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku and Joseph Aidoo as the defenders invited.

In midfield, Addo has called up Baba Iddrisu, Edmund Addo, Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey and Daniel Kofi Kyereh.

The wingers invited are Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Osman Bukari, Joseph Paintsil and Yaw Yeboah.

Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew has also been named in the squad despite returning a positive COVID-19 test at Crystal Palace on Sunday, and he joins fellow forwards Afena-Gyan, Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Kwasi Wriedt as the invited strikers.

The first leg of the World Cup playoff game is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022, while the second leg will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.