Ghana hosted the 2008 AFCON, with the Black Stars going on to finish third in the continental showpiece.
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CAN 2008: What ex-President Kufour told Gyan to dissuade him from leaving camp
Asamoah Gyan has disclosed what exactly former President, John Agyekum Kufour, told him to make him rescind his decision to leave camp during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Former President Kufour dissuaded Gyan from leaving camp during the 2008 AFCON
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However, Gyan was one of the most vilified players during the tournament, having been targeted by the home fans for his wastefulness in front of goal.
The criticisms were so severe that the striker, then just 22, planned to leave camp with his senior brother, Baffour Gyan, after Ghana’s second group game against Namibia.
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Asamoah Gyan
Pulse Ghana
However, it took the intervention of then President John Agyekum Kufour for him to rescind his decision.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pulse.com.gh, Gyan revealed exactly what the Head of State at the time told him.
“He came to me and he told me: ‘in football things happen and you have to be ready for criticism’,” he told Pulse.com.gh.
“And at that time, I wasn’t used to criticism because, starting from the colts level, it was like I was being pampered.
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“I was getting everything right and I didn’t know anything about criticism until that time.”
He added that his encounter with former President Kufour helped shape him to become a mentally tough footballer.
Gyan is currently Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals.
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